m 


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TACTICS; 

OK,    CUPID  IN  SHOULDER-STRAPS. 

A  WEST  POINT  LOVE  STORY. 
BY  HEARTON  DRILLE,  U.  S.  A. 

; 


"  Essay  ons." 


NEW  YORK: 

Carleton,  Publisher,  413  Broadway. 


M  DCCC  LXIII. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1862,  by 

GEO.  W.  CARLETO2T. 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Southern  District  of 
£iew  York. 


DEDICATION. 

Beneath  thy  standard,  flag  of  our  great  Union, 
With  symbols  fair,  —  t/te  crimson  and  the  white  - 
Of  purest  love,  and  brotherly  communioti, 
Whose  stars  benign,  illumine  our  dark  night. 
Where  rush  the  cohorts  like  a  mountain  torrent 
From  every  sacred  niche  in  our  broad  land  — 
Washing  away  in  blood,  the  stain  abhorrent 
On  fair  Columbia  cast,  by  traitor-band — 
Where  gather  sister,  sweetheart,  wife,  and  mother, 
Like  the  true  Marys  at  the  holy  cross, 
To  offer  father,  husband,  lover,  brother, — 
If  saved  their  country,  counting  gain  their  loss, 
Come  Love  and  I  to  thy  beloved  altar  — 
Dear  "  Flower  Flag?  thy  graceful  folds  to  hail 
As  our  Palladium,  and  our  Gibralter  — 
And  humbly  dedicate  to  thee  our  tale. 


For  the  appropriateness  of  the  following  beautiful  extract  from  "  John 
Phoenix  "  as  a  fitting  prelude  to  this  work,  I  appeal  to  my  readers. 

"II  frappe  toute  (autres)  chose  parfaitment  froid." 
"  It  does  not  depend  for  its  success  upon  its  plot,  its  theme,  its  school, 
or  its  master,  for  it  has  very  little  if  any  of  them,"  but  upon  the  forbear- 
ance of  a  magnanimous  Public. 

"  With  unbounded  respect  for  everybody," 

The  author  remains, 

HEABTON  DRILLE. 


ATTENTION! 


120  =  J  AUegro. 


' 


A  I 

TACTICS, 

TITLE   FIRST. 

ARTICLE   FIRST. 

Formation  of  a  Regiment. 

"ViOLETTA,  I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  my  niece, 
and  look  for  her  here  on  the  7  o'clock  train  this  evening." 

Mrs.  Lieutenant  Bobaline  opened  her  large  brown  eyes 
uncommonly  wide  in  reply  to  her  husband. 

There  was  a  little  fluttering  in  her  throat,  and  she  asked 
"Who?" 

"  Did  I  not  mention  it  to  you  ?  A  letter  came  some 
months  ago  from  my  sister  in  San  Francisco,  saying  her 
eldest  daughter  would  like  to  visit  us.  I  answered  it  im- 
mediately, and  told  her  to  come,  and  had  nearly  forgotten 
the  affair,  when  yesterday's  mail  brought  the  news,  that  she 
will  be  here  this  evening,  probably." 

A  pause  :  —  rather  embarrassing  to  the  placid  mind  of 
Lieutenant  Bobaline,  while  inditing  a  letter  of  importance, 
and  he  glanced  anxiously  at  his  beautiful  wife,  adding  "  I 
thought  it  quite  providential,  as  I  am  to  be  away  from  you 
so  long,  and  was  sorry  to  leave  you  alone."  His  voice  grew 
very  tender. 

Violetta  smiled,  and  he  was  encouraged  to  proceed. 

Isagone  will  be  society  for  you !  "     Hefsaid  briskly. 

"  What  is  her  name  ?'" 

"  Isagone  Smith." 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  what  ?  "  broke  nervously  from  the  lady. 

"  Isagone  Smith !  I  don't  see  anything  so  very  funny 
in  it."  He  said  gravely. 


\l  Tactics;  or, 

"  Oh,  Adelbert !  Isagone  Smith  not  funny  ?  "  and  she 
smothered  something  between  a  sob  and  a  little  scream,  in 
her  handkerchief. 

Lieutenant  Bobaline  though  usually  invulnerable  to  the 
sly  shafts  of  his  pretty  wife,  now  looked  wounded  and  left 
the  room.  Mrs.  Bobaline  was  very  greatly  astonished  at 
the  coolness,  as  she  thought,  of  her  lord's  announcement  of 
such  shocking  news,  for  she  was  quite  unprepared  for  the 
presence  of  such  a  stranger  in  her  family. 

Mrs.  Smith  was  the  only  sister  of  Lieutenant  Bobaline, 
from  whom  he  had  been  .separated  for  many  years.  The 
,chorcl  so  long  silent,  vibrated  at  the  first  touch,  and  he  was 
almost  childish  in  his  desire  to  see  his  sister's  daughter. 

He  had  often  spoken  of  this  sister  to  his  young  wife, 
but  never  of  his  niece,  because  he  knew  nothing  about  her. 
Mrs.  Smith  married  while  very  young,  a  restless,  enterpris- 
ing man  ;  consequently  he  was  scarcely  at  home  in  one  lo- 
cality, before  he  bore  her  away  to  antipodal  regions,  till 
at  last  he  left  her  a  widow,  in  comfortable  circumstances, 
in  the  gold  country.  Lieutenant  Bobaline  had  never  seen 
her  since  he  was  a  boy.  His  father  and  mother  died  before 
he  was  old  enough  to  choose  a  profession  for  himself,  but  he 
was  given  to  the  care  of  a  maternal  uncle,  who  brought 
him  up  in  a  very  thorough  manner,  and  procured  him  an 
appointment  at  West  Point.  The  letter  concerning  Isu- 
gone  was  the  first  intelligence  he  had  had,  in  many  years, 
from  his  sister,  and  thus  it  came  to  pass,  that  the  gay  mar- 
ried belle  at  West  Point,  had  lived,  and  lost  the  pleasure 
of  hearing  of  such  a  funny  name  as  Isagone  Smith. 

Several  hours  later,  Mrs.  Bobaline  sat  at  the  parlor  win- 
dow, looking  out  on  the  mist  and  rain,  when  the  omnibus 
drove  to  the  hotel  door.  A  slight  figure  emerged  from  it, 
and  the  gleaming  of  the  hall  lamp  revealed  a  ladv  in  a 
travelling  suit  of  green,  and  a  straw  hat  drawn  tightly 
down  with  a  green  veil.  Lieutenant  Bobaline  stepped  hasti- 
ly forward. 

"  Isagone  ?  " 

"  Yes,  uncle  !  "  said  a  low  voice. 


,  Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  13 

He  kissed  her,  and  drawing  her  arm  affectionately 
through  his,  led  her  into  the  hall,  and  up  stairs  into  his 
own  rooms. 

The  crowded  hall  and  parlors,  quite  stunned  the  young 
girl ;  and  when  she  was  shown  into  a  room  lighted  only  by 
a  coal  fire,  and  found  herself  alone,  she  sank  on  a  chair  in 
front  of  the  grate,  whose  glowing  coals  threw  the  rosiest 
of  tints  over  the  pleasant  apartment. 

Nearly  benumbed  with  cold  and  fatigue,  she  sat  staring 
into  the  fire  slowly  pulling  off  her  gloves,  when  pattering 
feet  and  a  glare  of  light,  set  her  heart  in  wild  commotion, 
she  so  dreaded  to  see  her  aunt. 

Lieutenant  Bobaline  handed  his  lady  in,  in  a  ceremonious 
manner  "  This  is  Isagone  ;  Mrs.  Bobaline.  Kiss  your 
aunt,  Isagone,  and  be  a  good  little  girl  to  her,  as  I  am  or- 
dered away  immediately,  and  you  must  be  her  guardian 
angel  till  I  return." 

Miss  Smith  timidly  touched  the  delicate  cheek,  and 
very  gently  squeezed  the  tiny  finger  tips  Madam  offered 
her. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  looked  curiously  at  the  shrinking  girl,  as 
she  unbonneted,  and  was  secretly  pleased  to  see  only  a 
meek  little  face,  with  a  pink  sea-shell  complexion,  quite  a 
contrast  to  her  own  brilliant  style. 

Mr.  Bobaline  assisted  his  niece  in  a  business  manner,  to 
show  that  she  was  welcome,  while  his  wife  walked  the 
floor  like  an  actress,  or  hurried  about  the  room  in  an  aim- 
less way  wondering  what  that  little  "  angel "  was  sent 
just  now  for  ;  she  had  not  reckoned  on  being  at  all  lonely, 
she  was  in  no  need  of  a  "  guardian  angel,"  or  of  a  spy  on 
her  every  act,  either.  She  sat  down  and  looked  appealing- 
ly  at  her  husband.  He  understood  her  look. 

"  Adelbert,  am  I  expected  to  stay  up  here  all  the  eve- 
ning and  entertain  this  child  ?"  His  conjugal  heart  was 
touched,  and  he  said  "  Viola  dearest,  order  some  supper 
up  here  for  Isagone,  as  she  is  weary,  and  then  she  can  re- 
tire when  she  pleases."  Viola  was  delighted,  and  descended 
the  stairs  with  a  light  step,  glad  to  escape  even  for  a  short 


14  Tactics;  or, 

time  from  her  own  thoughts  on  this  new  and  unwelcome 
responsibility. 

Poor  Mrs.  Bobaline,  the  evening  is  gone, —  and  where 
is  the  parley  of  the  soul,  she  had  promised  herself?  The 
evening  was  gone, —  and  she  had  only  once  thought  of  the 
little  intruder  into  her  pretty  boudoir,  and  her  kind  lord 
whom  she  had  left  so  abruptly  to  amuse  the  rural  maiden, 
as  she  mentally  denominated  Isagone  —  smiling  to  think 
she  should  certainly  find  no  rival  in  her. 

The  saloon  was  a  brilliant  scene,  there  was  music,  and 
dancing,  and  great  merriment,  but  Viola's  eyes  roved  out 
of  windows,  and  doors ;  —  she  had  been  "  cracking  her 
eye-strings,"  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  one,  who  was  not  giv- 
ing a  thought  to  her, 

"  So  fondly  we  ourselves  deceive, 

And  empty  hopes  pursue  ; 
Though  false  to  others  we  believe 
They  will  to  us  prove  true." 

The  foot-steps  she  listened  for  came  not.  Her  fancy 
had  taken  the  reins,  —  not  nice  in  a  dignified,  high-bred 
wife,  to  allow  it.  She  often  boasted,  "  my  husband  far 
outshines  every  other  officer  on  the  post,  in  feature,  form, 
and  soul."  Yes,  but  Mrs.  Eve,  you  have  been  strolling 
out  at  eye-gate,  and  tasted  the  sweets  of  flattery, —  pois- 
onous sweets  !  Ah,  Lieutenant  Bobaline  !  your  roman- 
tic Viola  had  listened  to  your  low  thrilling  tones,  and  high 
thrilling  sentiments,  until  her  warm  young  imagination 
had  veiled  her  Mars  in  a  luminous  zone,  which  you  had 
dissolved  by  becoming  a  little  too  matter-of-fact  —  a  little 
matter  too  soon,  —  when  once  the  possession  of  the  coveted 
object  was  "  4  fait  accompli !  "  Why  not  have  permitted 
the  bright  tissue  to  screen  the  irregular  and  variable  spots 
of  La  Vie  by  its  varying  brilliancy  ? 

Mrs.  Bobaline  sought  her  own  room,  with  a  sick  heart 
—  weary  with  self-condemnation,  and  the  humiliation  that 
follows  it.  She  stopped  at  her  own  door,  and  wished  that 
Isagone  was  gone  to  her  mother,  safely,  snugly,  lodged  in 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  15 

her  maternal  arms,  in  San  Francisco  —  nothing  wicked  in 
that.  Alack  !  there  she  was  —  incarnate  !  She  had  retired 
"  when  she  pleased  "  and  was  now  sleeping  —  timorously 
—  as  if  conscious  that  unloving  eyes  rested  on  her  face, 
and  a  little  double-and-twisted  sigh  escaped  through  her 
parted  lips,  —  then  came  a  light  over  her  face  —  a  smiling, 
speaking  look,  as  if  she  were  back  again  in  the  nest-full  of 
warm  young  hearts,  throbbing  with  kindred  love  for  her. 
Alas,  they  were  far  away !  and  would  wait  her  coming 
for  many  a  weary  day.  Mrs.  Bobaline  gazed  long  and 
curiously  at  the  fair  childish  face,  then  softly  turnh 
saw  four  or  five  trunks  piled  up  in  the  room. 

"  What  in  the  world  can  this  child  have  in  these 
trunks?  How  long  can  she  be  thinking  of  staying," 
she  queried.  She  quietly  left  the  room,  closed  her  own 
door,  and  sat  down  to  wonder.  Wonder  first.  Had  any 
one  in  the  world  been  as  miserable  that  evening  as  she 
thought  herself?  Wonder  second.  Where  had  every  body 
been  ?  —  to  her  the  whole  house  was  empty.  Wonder 
third.  Why  did  Lieutenant  Mera  seem  to  be  laughing  at 
her?  Wonder  fourth.  What  did  Lieutenant  Mera  know 
about  Miss  Smith  ?  He  had  asked  if  she  had  arrived. 
But  sleep  stole  in  and  closed  her  wondering  eyes,  and 
smoothed  her  polished  brow. 


*r 

16  Tactics ;  or, 


ARTICLE    SECOND. 
Posts  of  Officers. 

IN  a  room  in  the  west  tower  of  "  Barracks,"  lay  an  of- 
ficer asleep.  His  head  was  resting  on  his  dog,  a  hound  of 
great  size  and  beauty.  Under  him  was  a  white  bear-skin 
robe  thrown  on  the  floor.  His  repose  was  the  fading  of  a 
waking  revery  into  a  soft  dream, — a  delicious  unconcious- 
ness  and  forgetfulness  of  those  unpleasant  intruders  called 
compunctions,  which  usually  gave  color  to  his  day-dreams 

—  not  always  rainbow-hued.     He  thought  he  was  weary 

—  yes,  he  was  weary  —  of  a  hollow-hearted  world.     Was 
he  less  hollow-hearted  ?     Weary  of  aspirations  unrealized 
— after  Fame  —  the  cheat !     After  Virtue,  "  one  of  the 
worshippers  of  whom,  he  was  not  which,"  a  lady  he  would 
not  make  one  sacrifice  to  woo  —  after  the  "  ignis  faluus, 
happiness,"  as  he  growled  many  times  a  day.    Yes,  he  was 
tired  —  of  society,  whose  flatteries  sickened  him,  as  sweets 
cloy  the  appetite  of  the  child.       Society,  false  to  all  its 
promises,  and  stealing  that  which  it  cannot  give  again  — 
peace  of  mind. 

"  Societj,  that  polished  horde, 
Formed  of  two  mighty  tribes. 
The  bores,  and  bored." 

He  was  weary,  weary  of  solitude  —  and  —  himself. 
Who  could  read  this  in  the  satirical  curl  on  the  lip  of 
Lieutenant  Saberiu?  In  his  careless  indifferent  morning 
carol  — 

'•  To  ladies*  eyes  a  round,  boys, 

We  can't  refuse,  we  can't  refuse  ; 
Tho'  bright  eyes  so  abound,  boys, 

'Tia  hard  to  choose,  'tis  hard  to  choose  !  " 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  17 

In  his  princely  manner  to  the  great  world,  in  his  gra- 
cious deferential  bearing  where  he  most  despised  —  in  his 
apparent  self-forgetfulness,  and  abandon,  at  the  nightly  rev- 
els of  the  officers.  Among  these  he  was  styled  "  a  splen- 
did fellow  !  "  The  ladies  flattered,  and  caressed  him.  In 
short  all  the  world  spoiled  Lieutenant  Saberin.  His  rooms 
bore  witness  to  this.  Every  niche  was  filled  with  rare 
gifts  he  had  graciously  accepted ;  curiously  carved  camp- 
chest,  and  buffet,  Bohemian  glass,  Dresden  china,  caps  and 
slippers — -quite  enough  for  a  Chinese  museum.  Books, 
papers,  letters,  gloves,  pipes,  tobacco,  fresh  and  faded 
flowers,  made  a  tout-ensemble  quite  irresistible  to  the 
bachelor  officers. 

Now,  the  grate  was  heaped  with  bright  red  coals,  im- 
parting cheerfulness  to  the  room  on  this  chilly  May  after- 
noon, and  casting  a  hue,  rich  and  golden,  over  the  light 
brown  hound,  and  dark  brown  head  of  the  officer,  that 
rested  on  the  neck  of  the  dog.  Over  the  mantle-piece 
hung  a  painting  of  a  scene  in  Florida,  on  the  shelf  below 
a  pencilling  of  his  dog,  a  cigar-case,  a  pair  of  spurs,  a 
bunch  of  faded  flowers,  Weimer,  his  man,  had  held  more 
sacred  than  his  master  —  lifting  and  carefully  replacing 
them  every  time  he  dusted  —  where  more  than  a  month 
ago,  they  were  thrown,  after  a  party,  without  one  thought 
to  the  giver,  though  so  humbly  begged  for  with  vows  to 
keep  them  always ;  and  they  were  kept  longer  than  most 
flowers  are  under  like  circumstances. 

The  sleeper  was  aroused  by  a  fierce  growl  from  his 
dog.  "  Be  quiet  Burns  !  "  came  in  just  as  fierce  a  growl 
from  the  round  white  throat,  that  could  utter  such  touch- 
ingly  tender  tones. 

The  door  was  opened. 

"  Hallo  !  Did  I  awaken  you,  Saberin  ?  I  declare,  I  can 
always  tell  when  you  are  asleep,  by  the  growling  of 
Burns,  twice  as  fierce  as  usual,  which  is  quite  superflu- 
ous !  " 

The  speaker,  a  short,  dark-eyed,  and  dark-hued,  person, 


18  Tactics;  or, 

with  a  most  dignified  air,  took  a  slow  march  across  the 
room  to  the  fire,  turned,  and  surveyed  Saberin. 

**  Xot  a  had  picture,  old  fellow  !  Why  don't  you  be 
done  in  that  style  ?  The  Professor  could  turn  you  to 
some  account  then !  Call  it  Fidelity  and  Infidelity. 
Would  not  Madame  B.  send  to  Florida  to  "  papa  "  for  a 
cool  thousand  to  secure  the  gem  ?  Ha  !  ha  !  " 

Saberin  stretched  himself  —  patted  Burns,  and  arose. 
^.fter  lighting  his  pipe,  he  seated  himself,  elevated  his  heels 
on  the  table,  "  On  the  same  line,  as  near  each  other,  as 
the  conformation  of  the  man  would  permit,  feet  turned  out 
equally,  and  forming  with  each  other  something  less  than 
a  right  angle." 

"•  Take  a  cigar,  Mera  ;  and  tell  one  if  you  think  there 
is  a  possibility  of  getting  a  few  days'  leave  ?  I  am  con- 
foundedly tired  of  this  place,  and  everything  in  it  —  ex- 
cept Burns,"  and  he  pulled  the  ears  of  the  affectionate 
creature,  who  was  fawning  on  him. 

"  The  deuce  !  Saberin  blue  ?  that's  a  rich  joke  !  I 
did  not  know  you  thought  the  worlds,  'and  all  that  in 
them  is,'  of  enough  consequence,  to  induce  you  to  shorten, 
or  prolong,  one  of  those  lovely  whifts  !  Is  Miss  Kilman- 
segg  unkind  ?  Never  mind,  let's  sing,  "  Ach,  Gretchen, 
mein  taubchen,"  and  only  light  up  one  taper  at  a  time. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  sat  with  closed  eyes  like  one  in  a 
trance.  Lieutenant  Mera  resumed, 

"  Mrs.  Captain  Morton,  gives  a  party  next  week,  what 
would  she  do  without  you  ?  She  would  certainly  postpone 
it?indefinitely ;  and  Miss  Dora  McFlimsey  stands  ready  to 
dance  her  feet  off,  if  you  will  only  encourage  her :  and  — 
and  —  '  oh  no  we'll  never  mention  her!'  I'll  just  toast 
the  bright-eyed  one,  in  some  of  your  1776."  And  he 
rose  and  went  to  the  buffet,  poured  out  some  brandy  — 
rai.-ed  it  to  his  lips,  and  said,  "  here's  to " 

He  stopped  —  "  Jack  was  embarrassed,  never  hero  more, 
and,  as  he  knew  not  what  to  say,  he  swore." 

It  might  have  been  the  lack  of  a  ready  toast,  or  was 
it  only  the  Indian  hue  of  the  rich  southern  blood  that 


Cupid  in  ShonMer-Straps,  19 

coursed  in  his  veins  ?  Very  dark  he  looked,  as  the  dark 
words  fell  from  his  compressed  lips.  So  Lieutenant  Sabe- 
ine  thought,  —  (not  said)  —  as  he  rose.  u  I  am  going 
to  get  my  leave  to-night,  if  I  can,  and  I  will  go  to-morrow 
to  the  city.  Will  you  walk  round  to  the  Colonel's  with 
me  ?  "  and  he  regarded  Lieutenant  Mera  as  if  he  thought 
him  drunk,  or  crazy. 

"  Certainly,  certainly,  Saberin but  t'were  better  not 

to  go,  man  !  Bobaline  expects  his  niece  to-night,  he  told 
me,  and  we  can  happen  into  the  parlor,  and  play  a  game 
of  Boston,  and  see  what  she  is  like." 

Lieutenant  Saberin  drew  his  brows  together  to  make 
Lieutenant  Mera  out.  He  had  never  seen  him  excited  as 
he  seemed  to-night.  Lieutenant  Mera  usually  so  placid  ! 
What  had  come  over  the  man  !  His  loss  of  toast  and  tem- 
per—  could  he  be  jealous  of  him  about  Mrs.  Bobaline? 
He  sneered  at  the  thought.  Lieutenant  Saberin  had 
known  Mrs.  Bobaline  when  a  Florida  belle.  Lieutenant  Me- 
ra, and  he,  were  ordered  at  the  same  time,  to  a  post  where 
her  father,  a  surgeon  in  the  army,  was  stationed.  She  was 
then  engaged  to  the  good  practical  man  she  afterward 
married,  but,  "  the  trail  of  the  serpent,"  must  glisten  on 
the  pansies,  and  heliotropes,  and  where  the  flower-of-love 
lies-bleeding,  in  that  Eden  too.  The  handsome  Lieuten- 
ant Saberin  arrived,  and  she  fell  in  love,  at  first  sight. 
He  was  equally  smitten,  and  hunted,  fished,  rode,  and 
walked  with  her,  enjoying  her  wit  and  beauty  greatly. 
She  was  in  love  with  him  then,  and  now  that  she  showed 
such  marked  preference  for  his  society,  had  he  not  a  per- 
fect right  to  be  polite  to  her  ?  He  tore  the  bit  of  cigar  in 
his  fingers,  to  pieces,  but  Lieutenant  Mera  who  stood  look- 
ing at  him,  little  dreamed  what  was  passing  in  his  mind. 
He  frowned  and  curled  his  lips.  He  would  have  none  of 
Lieutenant  Mera's  interference  —  and  he  would  give  him 
trouble  the  first  lady  he  saw  him  take  a  fancy  to.  Such 
were  his  amiable  thoughts.  He  turned  suddenly  on  his 
heel,  they  left  the  room  together,  and  walked  in  silence  to 
the  Colonel's  door.  He  obtained  a  leave,  and  parting  from 


20  Tactics;  or, 

Mem,  said  gaily,  as  if  in  answer  to  the  proposition  he  had 
made  before  they  came  out,  "  I  thank  you,  Mera,  I'll 
leave  Madam  Bobaline,  and  Miss  what's  her  name — to 
your  tender  mercies,  —  deal  gently."  Lieutenant  Mera 
looked  as  if  he  would  like  to  demolish  him  —  but  he  did 
not.  Lieutenant  Saberin  turned  his  sweetest  smile  on 
him,  as  he  said,  good-night ! 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  21 


ARTICLE  THIRD. 
Posts  of  Field  Officers. 

LIEUTENANT  Saberin,  in  order  to  keep  away  from 
Lieutenant  Mera  "  cut  tea,"  and  going  to  his  room,  sat 
down  to  plan  what  he  would  do  in  the  city.  He  drew 
his  vade  mecum,  as  he  called  his  porte  monnaie,  from  his 
pocket  to  make  an  entry,  when  out  fell  a  lovely  little  note, 
he  had  received  that  morning.  It  was  written  in  a  lovely 
little  hand.  Lieutenant  Saberin  had  been  for  years  rath- 
er in  the  flowery  toils  of  a  very  sweet  village  maiden  — 
she  had  been  a  schoolmate  of  his,  when  he  was  a  beauti- 
ful ingenuous  boy.  Now,  he  would  consider  such  a  man  as 
he,  too  stupendous  a  sacrifice  at  such  a  shrine.  He  could 
not  afford  to  marry  so  recklessly,  though  he  loved  her  — 
heaven  only  knew  how  dearly !  and  regretted  the  necessity 
of  such  a  course,  but  "  was  it  not  kinder  to  gradually 
drop  the  correspondence  between  them  ?  "  and  she  was  too 
delicate,  had  too  much  pride  to  annoy  him !  He  had 
gently  checked  her  warmth  by  not  writing  to  her,  but 
within  the  past  few  months,  some  sweet  little  pieces  of 
poetry  had  come  to  him  through  the  mail,  in  which,  though 
prettily  disguised,  he  could  trace  the  graceful  Italian  hand 
he  had  so  often  seen  before.  Yes,  scores  of  pretty  note- 
lets  had  he  carried  home  in  his  book-satchel,  when  happi- 
ness put  wing  on  his  little  heels. 

Let  us  read  over  Lieutenant  Saberin's  shoulder.  It 
has  no  signature  —  within  lies  the  minnie  ball !  He 
glanced  at  the  note  and  examined  his  pockets  for  one  he 
had  received  a  month  ago  —  but  as  it  was  only  poetry  — 


22  Tactics ;  or, 

he  did  not  spend  his  time  reading  it  —  now,  he  wished  to 
compare  notes. 

TO   LIEUTENANT   SABERIN     OP      WEST    POINT. 

*Na-gah-moo  !  my  lodge  is  lonely  ! 

The  night  wind's  •whisper  in  the  pines 
Sings  to  me  only  ! 

No  joy  is  mine, 

Dear,  Na-gah-moo  ! 

Na-gah-moo  !  my  sweet  voiced  loyer, 

Spring's  soft  wind, 
And  love-notes  hover 

O'er  tMe-Me's  mind, 

For  Na-gah-moo  ! 

Na-gah-moo  !  my  lodge  is  lonely  ! 

No  love-lit  eye 
"Warms  Me-Me  !  only 

The  watch-dog's  cry, 
Howls,  Na-gah-moo. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  paused,  and  the  words  of  one  of 
her  songs,  came  to  his  mind. 

"  As  he  pauses  awhile  in  the  hush  of  some  hour, 

Its  tones  will  come  o'er  him,  and  prove 
That  the  strife  of  the  world  cannot  smother  the  power 
Of  the  song  that  breathes  ever  of  love  ! 
Still  love  !  " 

A  great  round  tear  lay  like  a  diamond  on  the  cheek  of 
the  calculating  man  of  the  world.  He  unfolded  the  last 
note,  for  there  was  something  very  delightful,  and  fascina- 
ting, in  the  new  sensations  he  was  experiencing  —  some- 
thing akin  to  the  pleasing  pain  the  pilgrim  feels,  when  do- 
ing penance  for  his  sins,  he  opened  the  second  note. 

Suddenly,  loud  voices  were  heard  on  the  stairs,  giving 
sign  that  his  sanctum  was  invaded.  He  deliberately  fold- 
ed the  notes,  put  them  into  his  pocket,  and  was  sleeping  in 
his  chair. 

*  Na-gah-moo,  the  Indian  for  "  sweet-voice." 
.  t  Indian  name  for  "  dove." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps, 


ARTICLE   FOURTH. 

Regimental  staff. 

FOUR  or  five  officers,  entered  Lieutenant  Saberin  's 
room,  all  laughing  and  talking  at  once.  He  looked  up 
pleasantly,  and  vowed  he  had  pined  for  them,  for  the  last 
three  hours.  Would  they  help  themselves  to  seats,  etc.,  or 
give  him  the  extreme  pleasure  of  helping  them. 

They  would  help  themselves,  to  whatever  his  poor  quar- 
ters afforded. 

Lieutenant  Alton,  "  a  sweet  young  officer,"  as  the  la 
dies  called  him,  walked  to  the  cigar-case,  took  a  cigar  — 
lighted  it,  and  sat  down.     Lieutenant  Storme,  set  himself 
to  do  the  honors  of  the  toddy-glasses.     Lieutenant  Mera, 
leaned  on  the  mantle-piece,  and  looked  at  the  Florida  scene. 

Lieutenant  Alton  gave  two  or  three  whiffs,  and  address- 
ed Lieutenant  Saberin.  "  I  can  tell  you  we  have  had  a 
stunning  time  this  evening,  at  Tutes  !  The  young  ladies 
are  charming.  That  Miss  Nora  Kearney,  Storme,  that 
you  stormed,  is  a  perfect  little  beauty  ;  and  my  girl  is  tre- 
men-dous  !  Why,  she  started  me  on  mathematics,  and  for 

a  while    I  was Alton,  but   she   veered    into    the 

science  of  metempsychosis,  which  you  are  probablv  aware 
is  not  included  in  the  branches  taught  at  this  life-taking 
institution,  and  when  the  accomplished  scholar,  and  gentle- 
man, Lieutenant  Mera,  came  to  my  rescue,  I  was  reduced 
to  the  uttermost  farthing." 

"What  is  her  name  ?  "  asked  Lieutenant  Saberin. 

"  Xora  Kearney,"  shouted  Lieutenant  Storme. 

"  Look  here,  my  dear  fellow,  your  head  is  not  quite 
straight,  I  fear  you  have  tested  the  toddy  too  often  ;  we 
were  speaking  of  t'other  Tutes,"  laughed  Lieutenant  Mera. 


24  Tactics;  or, 

"  O,  Miss  Bessy  Kearney,  you  mean,  pardon  me,  I 
could  not  understand  any  one  speaking  of  Miss  Bessy,  the 
same  day  they  saw  Miss  Nora." 

The  toddy  made,  they  all  sat  down  around  the  table. 
Lieutenant  Burlyton  joined  the  party,  and  at  three  o'clock 
they  still  sat,  smoking,  drinking,  and  playing.  Songs  were 
sung,  toasts  drank,  stories  told  —  some  that  had  better  re- 
mained untold. 

At  four  o'clock,  good-night  was  said,  by  some,  in  a  most 
pathetic  manner,  sung  by  others,  very  tragically ;  by 
all,  in  a  way  that  would  have  astonished  the  performers  the 
next  morning.  Dreams  after  such  revels,  are  never  rosy- 
hued,  so  you  will  please  permit  me  to  refer  you  to  Robert 
Burns,  Esquire,  for  a  description  of  the  flights  those  young 
men  took  on  ebon  mares,  '  fu '  fast  that  night,  and  the 
consequent  fatigue,  and  disgust  that  half  past  seven  o'clock, 
brought  them.  Ugh ! 

"  0,  what  noble  minds  were  here  o'erthrown  ! 
Like  sweet  bells  jangled  out  of  time  and  harsh  !  " 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  25 


ARTICLE  FIFTH. 

Command*. 

LIEUTENANT  Saberin's  sudden  determination  to  get  a 
leave,  was  not  simply  an  impulse  without  an  object,  as  he 
had  wished  Lieutenant  Mera  to  understand,  but  was  in 
obedience  to  the  following  "  commands." 

NEW  ORLEANS,  May 

Dear  Old  Saber 

I  write  on  "  the  eve  of  my  mar- 
riage," as  novelists  and  poets  would  say !  yes,  to-morrow 
promotes  me  to  the  captaincy  of  one  of  the  best  drilled 
little  angels  — 

*  She  is  mine  own  ;   And  I  as  rich  in  having  such  a  jewel, 
As  twenty  seas,  if  all  their  sands  were  pearl, 
The  water  nectar,  and  the  rocks  pure  gold." 

No  small  amount  of  charms,  spiritual,  and  temporal,  alto- 
gether "  very  desirable."  I  assure  you,  old  fellow,  it  is'nt 
bad,  to  be  made  such  a  deuce  of  a  fuss  over  !  The  day  is 

to  be ,  and  Lieutenant   Charles  Ambert  and  lady, 

will  be  in  New  York  on  the  22d  May,  at  the  New  York 
hotel.  Now  you  must  —  must  is  the  word  —  get  a  leave 
and  come  down.  I  have  brought  a  wife  up  for  you  !  she 
is  superb,  she  is  !  Talented,  amiable,  and  by  George  !  as 
rich  as  an  Indian  princess  ;  very  desirable,  like  my  wife, 
in  that  respect.  Get  away,  I  say,  and  go  to  Washington 
with  us,  for  a  few  days  —  can  get  so  much  better  acquainted 
travelling,  you  know,  and  then  you  need  not  marry  her  un- 
less you  like  !  She  is  dying  to  see  you,  she  says.  The  dick- 
ins,  I  have  not  told  you  her  name  !  Never  mind  !  You'll 
2 


§6  Tactics;  or, 

have  the  more  to  discover  when  you  see  her.  What  are  you 
standing  there  re-reading,  and  dreaming  over  this  letter  for  ? 
Why  ain't  you  down  on  your  bended  knees,  like  Jacob, 
thanking  heaven  for  sending  a  rich  young  woman  into  your 
very  clutches,  like  the  Patriarch  Isaac  ?  Am  not  I  a  true 
friend  ?  Prove  yourself  as  true  by  obeying  these  com- 
mands. 

True  as  steel, 

AMBERT. 

Lieutenant  Saberin's  curiosity  was  keenly  aroused  for 
such  a  sovereign  master  of  true  melancholy.  He  would 
like  to  see  the  "  Indian  Princess"  Lieutenant  Ambert  had 
so  generously  brought  into  his  clutches !  The  fastidious 
Lieutenant  curled  his  lips,  and  then  his  moustache.  He 
must  not  fail !  conqueror-like,  this  must  be  a  plumed  vic- 
tory. So  we  find  him  at  Warnock's,  before  he  goes  to  the 
hotel.  Here  he  met  Lieutenant  Ambert,  and  after  chat- 
ting awhile,  they  repaired  thither. 

When  left  by  his  friend,  to  bring  down  the  ladies,  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin  paraded  before  the  mirror,  surveying  his 
fine  person  with  wondrous  self-complacency.  Will  the 
"  Indian  princess  "  admire  him  as  much  as  he  admires  him- 
self? He  thought  she  would.  Not  a  doubt  clouded  the 
radiant  face. 

They  came  at  last.  Lieutenant  Ambert,  with  the  air 
of  an  Alexander,  leading  \\\  two  beautiful  women. 

"  Kate,  this  is  Lieutenant  Saberin.  Saberin  —  my  ladv 
wife." 

Kate  was  majestic,  dignified,  and  very  beautiful.  She 
met  her  husband's  friend  in  quite  a  sisterly  way. 

"  Miss  Pauline  De  Saye,  permit  me  to  present  Lieuten- 
ant Saberin  —  Miss  De  Saye." 

She  had  been  standing  a  little  behind  Mrs.  Ambert,  but 
an  impatient  glance  was  stolen  past  that  lady,  and  the  glow 
of  admiration  that  mantled  the  loveliest  gipsy  face  he  had 
ever  seen,  was  so  visible  that  he  was  content  to  cast  down 
his  eyes  in  a  very  sentimental  fashion,  as  he  took  the  tiny 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  27 

hand  so  like  a  snow-flake,  and  thinking  perhaps,  of  the 
right  delegated  to  him,  by  his  friend,  retained  it,  till  the 
cheek  crimsoned  like  the  setting  sun  —  and  the  long,  dark 
lashes  fell,  just  in  time  to  save  the  presumptuous  warrior 
from  a  fate  not  unlike  that  of  "certain  "  who  cast  the 
"  three  holy  children,1'  into  the  "  burning  fiery  furnace," 
for  the  flame  of  those  fervid  orbs  would  have  slain  him, 
beyond  a  question. 

Like  a  fine  soldier,  the  gallant  Lieutenant  made  a  grace- 
ful retreat,  and  was  immediately  promoted  to  the  post  of 
monopolizer  general,  by  his  admiring  friend  Ambert,  while 
in  her  heart's  judgment -hall  the  young  girl  pronounced 
him  mighty  nice  ! 

On  Monday  morning,  when  Lieutenant  Saberin  was 
compelled  to  part  with  Gipsy,  as  he  lovingly  called  her,  he 
would  have  given  his  commission  to  linger  at  her  side. 
He  told  her  how  happy  he  had  been  in  her  society  —  that 
he  could  never  forget  "  that  she  looked  happy  by  his  side," 
and  "  woulded  they  had  never  met." 

Gipsy  told  him  she  should  cry  when  he  was  gone, —  she 
was  homesick  at  the  very  thought. 

Homesick  !  he  was  heart-sick,  would  go  back  only  to 
live  these  precious  moments  over  and  over  again,  till  he  got 
his  leave  in  June. 

"  And  what  will  you  do  then  ?  Will  I  not  see  you 
again  ?  " 

"  I  hope  so  !  many  times  it  may  be  ;  I  shall  call  on  you 
to  decide  that." 

Xo  reply. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  went  on. 

"  Where  will  you  be  on  the  28th  of  August,  Pauline  ?  " 

"  We  return  home  about  the  first  of  September,  and 
may  be  in  New  York  about  that  time." 

"  May  I  compel  Lieutenant  Ambert  to  bring  you  to 
\Vest  Point  for  the  28th  party  ?  Would  you  like  to  come  ?  " 

"  Like  to  come  ?  what  questions  you  ask,  Mr.  Saberin. 
I  would  give  all  my  visit  north,  for  it !  " 

"  O,  not  so  much  as  that,  Miss  De  Saye,  I  assure  you  it 


Tactics ;  cr, 

would  not  pay  —  it  would  not  recompense  you  for  all  that ! 
You  could  not  get  acquainted  with  many  in  one  evening. 
Besides  I  should  find  an  excuse  for  monopolizing  you  my- 
self—  you  do  not  know  how  selfish  I  am  !  " 

Miss  De  Saye  simpei*ed,  "  Have  I  not  been  happy  for 
two  days?  I  shall  not  care  to  know  anyone  else  !  "  (pet- 
ulantly) "  Why  do  you  make  me  say  these  things  ?  " 

He,  (sorrowfully)  "  I  was  bold  enough  to  hope,  I  might 
ask  one  more  question,  before  we  part  —  perhaps,  forever  ; 
but  after  that,  if  it  cost  me  the  '  cherished  hope  of  years,' 
I  could  not  ask  it."  His  tones  were  low,  and  sad. 

Gipsy  would  have  given  all  her  worldly  goods,  to  know 
what  he  was  about  to  ask !  He  adroitly  turned  the  sub- 
ject, not  having  any  question  to  propound,  he  preferred 
giving  scope  to  her  imagination  —  well  knowing  the  silly 
little  head  would  balance  the  account  in  his  favor.  She 
followed  him  to  the  parlor  door  to  say  good  night ;  "  Don't 
forget  to  make  Lieutenant  Ambert  bring  us  to  West 
Point !  " 

ARTICLE    SIXTH. 

Principles  of  WJieeling: 

He  shook  her  little  hand  in  a  friendly  indifferent  way. 

"  I  could  not  forget !  I  may  be  back  —  but  if  I  am  not 
—  1  will  find  an  excellent  substitute,  I  will  tell  my  friends 
that  a  bright  southern  bird,  is  to  alight  at  West  Point,  be- 
fore pluming  her  wings  for  her  own  sunny  skies  !  " 

"  Is  there  a  possibility  that  you  will  not  be  back,  then  ? 
I  thought  your  leave  expired  on  the  28th  ;  Lieutenant 
Ambert  said  so  !  " 

"  It  does.  The  '  powers  that  be,'  perhaps,  might  grant 
an  extension  of  my  leave,  but  in  case  you  came,  I  should 
not  press  an  application  for  one  since  I  hope  to  secure  such 
a  great  inducement  to  return  ! " 

O  that  deceit  should  dwell  in  such  a  gorgeous  pal- 
ace !  He  seemed  for  dignity  composed,  and  high  ex- 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps.  29 

ploit ;  but  all  was  false  and  hollow  !  He  held  her  hand, 
playing  with  a  rich  diamond  ring,  of  great  value.  Pau- 
line looked  at  his  fine  manly  face,  so  full  of  thought  and 
intellect,  his  Apollo-head,  and  locks !  Her  beau-ideal 
stood  before  her ;  she  might  never,  never  see  him  again  ! 
He  raised  his  eyes  to  hers.  Scarcely  less  bright  than  the 
radiant  gem  he  was  admiring  so  undisguisedly,  and  can-- 
ing so  tenderly,  were  the  flashing  eyes  she  raised  to  his, 
saying,  "  Lieutenant  Saberin,  you  must  be  at  West  Point, 
or  I  will  not  go,"  and  taking  the  ring  from  her  finger,  she 
placed  it  on  his  —  "  and  return  this  to  me  then  !  "  she  said 
with  a  pleading  look. 

"  O,  Miss  De  Save,  this  is  too  valuable,  it  would  be  al- 
most a  fetter.  I  do  not  need  such  things  to  bring  me 
back,  I  assure  you,"  he  exclaimed  in  genuine  astonish- 
ment. 

"  You  will  enhance  its  value  by  retaining  it,  and  render 
it  valueless  if  you  refuse  it !  Please  wear  it  until  we  meet, 
it  will  serve  to  remind  you  of  one  you  have  —  that  can  — 
of  me  ! " 

•'  That  is  all  you  need  say  !  "  replied  the  pitiless  Ca_>s;ir  ; 
and  he  stole  a  very  respectful  look  from  the  gem  he  was 
turning  on  his  finger  to  catch  the  stars  of  fire  in  its  depths, 
revealed  by  the  light  of  the  gas  above  his  head,  to  the 
loving  child-like  face,  and  felt  that  he  could  lay  him  down 
and  die  for  her.  "  May  I  not  call  you  Pauline,  to-night  ? 
Good  night  Miss  Pauline,  I  will  wear  this  until  we  meet !  " 

This  time  when  he  took  her  hand,  she  felt  the  metal  of 
the  ring  —  and  he  felt  confident  she  appreciated  the  ring 
of  the  true  metal.  Poor  Pauline  ascended  to  Mrs.  Am- 
bert  with  the  saddest  "  good-bye  "  on  her  lips,  she  had 
ever  breathed.  Lieutenant  Saberin's  visit  had  been  "  a 
success."  He  had  said  truly,  he  had  enjoyed  every  mo- 
ment, needing  only  the  last  few  he  had  spent  with  Pau- 
line, where  he  had  "  developed  "  her  so  excellently  to  add 
the  "  vici  "  to  his  "  veni,  vidi."  He  would  make  Lieuten- 
ant Anabert  bring  her  to  West  Point  for  the  28th.  That 
is  the  place  to  draw  one's  captives  in  triumph,  at  one's 


30  Tactics;  or, 

heels !  He  would  be  there  !  Before  then  though,  he 
would  secure  her  for  himself.  She  was  too  beautiful,  too 
rich,  to  trust  on  West  Point,  unless  well  guarded,  and  he 
would  be  the  protector.  Lieutenants  Mera,  Burlyton,  and 
Storme,  all  should  know,  whose  the  southern  heiress  was. 


ARTICLE    SEVENTH. 

Principles  of  the  Direct  Step. 

Upon  this,  Lieutenant  Saberin  acted  on  his  return. 
He  wrote  a  letter  to  Miss  Pauline,  a  love  letter  of  the 
hiost  practical  description,  all  that  she  could  desire. 

He  spoke  of  army  life  —  he  would  not  expect  her  to 
brave  any  of  its  dangers  or  hardships.  She  should  be  the 
bright  particular  star,  that  through  all  should  guide  him 
on  to  immortality  and  fame  !  He  had  had  fancies,  but  be- 
side the  deep,  enduring  impression  she  had  made  upon  his 
soul,  they  became  aversions  —  here  the  ink  paled  to  an 
unearthly  hue,  and  ^  the  lights  in  the  chamber  burnt 
blue !  "  blue  as  the  eyes  of  one  of  those  fancies, —  and 
strangely  enough  he  thought  of  those  blue  eyes,  and  won- 
dered if  Pauline  would  love  him  as  she  had  done.  He 
did  not  doubt  his  predominating  love  for  Pauline,  but 
would  she  love.  Yes,  he  thought  she  would ;  and  he 
glanced  at  the  glittering  star  on  his  little  finger. 

He  sealed,  and  directed  the  letter  carefully,  and  put  it 
in  his  breast  pocket,  intending  to  mail  it  himself,  and  not 
entrust  it  to  Weimer  to  post  with  the  less  important  let- 
ters. He  little  dreamed  of  its  fate. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  31 


TITLE  SECOND. 

SCHOOL   OF   THE   SOLDIER. 

General  Rules  and  Division  of  the  School  of  the  Soldier. 

Saturday  on  West  Point !  Who  that  has  ever  been 
there,  will  wonder  at  the  note  of  exclamation  ?  Enchant- 
ing' spot,  on  that  day  !  The  hearts  of  three  hundred  ca- 
dets bounding  at  the  thought  of  release  from  duty.  Their 
joyful  prospect  of  meeting  loved  friends  from  abroad  ! 
The  calls  to  be  made — all  "so  glad  to  see  them."  The 
strolls  over  the  beautiful  hill-sides  ;  the  paradisaical  walk 
on  the  river  banks.  "  Flirtation  !  "  * —  The  putting  into 
practice  all  they  have  learned  during  the  week ;  "  Modes  of 
attack  —  means  of  defence  —  making  slow  and  quick 
matches,  and  the  "  Manual  of  arms,"  in  which  all  are 
versed.  For  example.  1st.  "  Attention.'1''  2.  "  SQUAD." 
At  the  second  word  the  recruit  will  take  a  position  in  front 
of  the  eight-by-nine  looking-glass,  and  arrange  his  hair. 
"  Shoulder — ARMS  !  "  he  shall  sew  on  his  new  chevrons. 
"  LOAD  !  "  He  shall  polish  his  forty-four  buttons,  put  on 
his  coat,  button  it  tightly  to  the  throat.  "PRIME!"  At 
this  command,  he  shall  adjust  his  cap  very  far  forn'<u'<i 
on  his  head,  a  little  to  the  left.  "  HEADY  !  "  "  One  lime 
and  three  motions."  The  recruit  advances  to  the  front. 
and  inspects  the  Plain,  to  ascertain  if  there  is  an  enemy  to 
be  seen.  He  descends  the  stairs,  grasps  the  tail  of  his 
coat,  gives  one  energetic  pull  toward  the  heels.  "  1st 
Forward  I  "'  "  2.  MARCH  !  "  "  The  recruit  will  retake  a 
step  of  twenty-eight  inches,"  until  he  reaches  the  hotel.  On 
arriving,  he  will  execute  rapidly  the  several  commands 

*  A  name  given  by  the  C,ileti  to  "  Chun  Battery  Walk." 


32  Tactics;  or, 

"  Present —  ARMS." 
"  Secure  —  ARMS." 

"  Support ARMS." 

"  Arms —  AT  WILL." 
"  Eyes  direct  to  the  Front" 

"  Because  this  is  the  surest  means  of  maintaining  a 
proper  position,  an  essential  object,  to  be  insisted  on  and 
attained." 

Loading  at  Will,  and  the  Firings" 

In  most  cases,  "  The  direct  fire"  is  all  that  is  required;* 
if  this  fails,  k'  Oblique  Firing"  is  more  surprising.  Great 
execution  attends  u  FIRE  —  KNEELING." 

These  may  all  fail  —  the  recruit  must  not  be  daunted 
by  the  glittering  ranks  before  him,  though  the  foe,  still 
"Keep — DRESSED,"  let  him  remember,  truth  is  not  all 
that  is  needed  to  secure  the  victorv  in  war.  He  shall 
hoist  foreign  colors,  till  a  proximity  is  secured,  or  more 
properly  speaking,  let  him  try  — 

"  FIRE    LYING." 

Ellsworth's  Zouaves  are  babes  "  in  arms,"  compared 
with  West  Point  cadets,  in  this  exercise. 

Who  can  bear  testimony  to  this,  better  than  the  beau- 
tiful besieged,  or  in  somebody's  pretty,  passionate  lan- 
guage ;  — 

"Oh  !  only  those 

Whose  souls  have  felt  this  one  idolatry, 
Can  tell  how  precious  is  the  slightest  tiling 
A  '  Cadie  '  gives  and  hallows  !  chevrons  and  buttons 
Will  long  be  kept,  remembrancers  of  looks, 
That  made  each  '  gift '  a  treasure. ' ' 

Mrs.  Bobaline  was  dressed  to  receive  "cadet  calls." 
IMbre  she  descended,  she  peeped  into  Isagone's  room,  and 
told  her  to  dress  herself  charmingly  and  follow  her  down 
stairs,  as  it  was  very  pleasant  on  the  piazza.  Desirous  of 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  33 

pleasing  her  aunt,  she  bedecked  herself  quite  bravely,  a  la 
San  Francisco.  Blue  Canton  crepe  dress,  rich  lace  on 
her  neck  and  arms,  a  wreath  of  pearls  and  garnets,  ar- 
ranged in  exquisite  sprays,  entwined  in  her  light-brown 
curls,  were  gathered  like  a  coronet  on  the  top  of  her  head. 
Quite  abashed  at  the  pretty  face  and  figure  she  saw  re- 
flected in  her  aunt's  cheval-glass,  she  trembled  at  the 
thought  of  venturing  alone,  to  encounter  the  multitude  of 
eyes,  in  every  spot  outside  her  chamber  door.  The  house 
seemed  to  the  terrified  girl,  one  vast  multiplying  glass,  eyes, 
eyes  —  everywhere.  She  ventured  as  far  as  the  stair-case 
and  peered  over  the  balustrade,  listening  to  the  gay  voices 
and  then  on  tiptoe  returned  to  her  cell,  as  she  called  it. 
She  wearied  herself  reading,  and  remembering  her  aunt's 
request,  ventured  boldly  to  the  foot  of  the  staircase.  She 
could  get  no  further,  but  stood  leaning  against  the  wall, 
till  she  had  attracted  every  eye  —  from  sheer  want  of  nerve 
to  move.  Some  giggled,  and  all  scanned  her  curiously. 
She  stood  lire  tolerably  well  for  a  time,  but  at  length  tied 
to  her  aunt's  room  again,  and  read  an  hour,  when  no  long- 
er hearing  the  hum  of  voices  in  the  hall,  t4like  the  sound 
of  many  waters,"  she  descended,  and  went  to  the  door  of 
the  north  piazza. 

Color-  Guard. 

AT  the  further  end  of  the  piazza,  Isagone  discovered 
Mrs.  Bobaline  enclosed  in  a  "  picket  of  Cadets,"  she  termed 
her  "  color-guard."  She  had  distributed  to  each  of  them 
a  small  bit  of  ribbon,  of  her  favorite  color,  which  fluttered 
from  a  button-hole  of  their  flashy  corselets,  when  they 
caine  to  call  on  her.  These  were  her  especial  favorites. 
One  of  them  looked  up  and  violating  rule  No.  38,  "  The 
color-guard  will  not  fire  but  reserve  itself  for  the  defence 
of  the  color ;"  —  and  not  observing  rule  No.  41*  before 
tiring,  said,  "  Hallo,  here  is  Madame  Recamier  reanimated, 
or  Saint  Agnes  !  " 

*  School  of  the  Battalior,  Part  I.  Vol.  2. 
2* 


31  Tactics:  or, 

They  all  looked,  and  Mrs.  Bobaline  recognised  Isagone 
under  the  fanciful  disguise,  and  laughed  till  her  face  was 
crimson.  The  thought  of  introducing  such  a  figure,  and' 
such  a  name,  was  vastly  more  than  Mrs.  Bobaline's  phi- 
losophy dreamed  of,  and  she  walked  away  around  the  pia/- 
za.  Several  of  the  young  men  followed  her,  while  one  or 
two,  turned  to  reconnoitre  the  stranger. 

They  walked  round  and  round  her  —  but  meeting  her 
modest  dignified  blue  eyes,  they  returned  to  Mrs.  Boba- 
line, arm-in-arm,  pretending  to  stagger,  saying,  "  We  be 
all  dead  men, —  slain,  enfilade  !  " 

"  O,  but  isn't  she  pretty  !  I  wonder  who  she  is  ?  "  ex- 
claimed Cadet  Smith. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  began  to  gather  courage,  and  said,  "She 
is  a  niece  of  my  husband,  she  came  last  night." — The 
cadets  looked  at  each  other,  and  elevated  their  brows  — 
u  I  will  introduce  you."  And  she  gracefully  led  the  way 
through  the  hall,  to  Isagone's  side.  "  Is  —  I-one  dear, 
allow  me  to  present  my  friends.  Mr.  White,  Mr.  Brown. 
Mr.  Grey,  and  Mr.  Smith  !  "  The  fastidious  lady  could 
not  draw  the  slow  length  of  Isagone's  quaint  name  out  of 
her  dainty  mouth,  and  inwardly  applauded  her  quickness 
of  wit,  in  substituting  the  beautiful  diminutive  for  it. 

"  lone,  my  dear,  I  think  Cadet  Smith  must  be  a  rela- 
tive of  yours  !  Having  the  same  name."  This  she  ad- 
ded, to  put  the  young  girl  a  little  at  her  ease,  as  she  was 
truly  appalled  at  finding  herself  surrounded  by  so  many 
gentlemen  in  grey. 

Cadet  Smith  said,  nothing  would  give  him  more,  pleas- 
ure than  to  trace  the  relationship,  and  although  her  face 
became  crimson  at  mention  of  her  name,  that  had  never 
been  her  admiration,  Isagone  was  not  sorry  to  find  it  be- 
longed to  the  handsomest  and  most  elegant  of  her  aunt's 
admirers,  and  she  thought  they  must  be  verv  smart,  to  be 
tolerated  by  her  superb  ladyship. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  looked  at  "  lone,"  as  she  had  named  her 
so  suddenly,  (much  to  that  young  lady's  surprise)  and 
smiling  said,  "  This  is  a  young  California!!,"  as  if  apolo- 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  3J 

gising  for  her  peculiarity  of  dress.  Cadet  Smith  liked  this 
very  peculiarity,  and  took  possession  of  the  strang.T  us  no 
one  but  a  West  Point  cadet  can. 

"  Have  you  observed  the  vie\v  up  the  river,  Miss  Smith  ? 
Was  there  ever  so  much  beauty  condensed  into  so  small  a 
space  ?  " 

This  remark  drew  Isa  to  the  balustrade  of  the  piazza. 
They  did  not  joki  her  aunt's  circle  again,  but  entered  into 
the  most  animated  conversation. 

"  Is  this  your  first  visit  to  the  States,  Miss  Smith  ?  " 

"  O,  no  !  I  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  but  my  father 
removed  to  San  Francisco,  when  I  was  a  child.  I  am 
very  proud  of  my  native  State,  and  claim  to  be  a  true 
South  Carolinian." 

Cadet  Smith  smiled  quietly,  "  I  think  we  must  be  near- 
ly related,  as  I  am  from  Ohio,  no  wonder  I  was  attracted 
at  once." 

"  Indeed  ?  antipodes  in  that  sense  !  " 

He  winced  a  little  as  he  was  as  true  an  Ohian,  but  did 
not  like  the  turn  the  conversation  had  taken.  "  This  is 
just  the  place  for  antipodes  to  meet,  and  be  attracted. 
"  Let  us  drop  our  States,  here,  and  take  our  Country." 

lone  replied.  "  In  honoring  our  state  we  honor  our 
country,  and  I  cannot  see  the  propriety  of  dropping  my 
state,  even  at  West  Point." 

Mr.  Smith  would  not  reply,  and  flew  to  the  "  dernier  re- 
sort "  of  West  Point  conversation.  "  Is  this  your  first 
visit  at  West  Point  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  and  every  thing  is  beautiful,  as  it  is  new,  to 
me!" 

-  "  This  is  one  of  the  most  lovely  spots  in  the  world,  and 
certainly  one  of  the  most  interesting  for  strangers  to  vis- 
it," 

"  What  a  charmed  life  you  must  lead  here."  Said 
lone, 

"  Yes !  its  present  attractions  are  very  great,  beyond  a 
doubt." 

"  Its  present  attractions  ?  "  questioned  she,  innocently. 


36  Tactics ;  or, 

"  Yes,  the  visitors,  to  us  —  to  you,  the  officers,  and 
to  some,  our  corps — but  of  course  we  do  not  see  that." 

lone  thought  "  if  all  '  our  corps  '  are  as  handsome  and 
agreeable  as  Cadet  Smith,  that  is  an  attraction  indeed  !  '' 

TO    FIRE    AND    LOAD   LYING. 

"  "What  is  that  marble  pillar  under  the  trees,  near  the 
flag-staff?  " 

'•  That  ?  —  that,  is  —  the  famous  '  Column  of  War.'  It 
was  brought  from  the  '  Temple  of  Bellona,'  at  Rome. 
Whenever  war  was  declared  against  an  enemy,  her  priests 
threw  a  spear  against  it.  There  are  many  such  marks 
of  the  spear.  Some  suppose  them  to  be  inscriptions." 

"  What  a  curiosity  1  How  came  it  here  ?  " 

"  O,  it  was  sent  a  present  to  General  Scott  by  —  the 
Pope.  When  General  Scott  was  up  for  President,  the 
Roman  Pontiff,  wishing  to  flatter  him,  sent  it  to  him —  to 
hang  on  his  watch-chain,  —  I  suppose,  but  it  proving  a 
trifle  too  long,  "our  Chief  presented  it  to  the  Academy." 

This  manual  of  "  Fire  Lving,"  was  executed  with  such 
grace  and  skill,  that  lone  fell  into  the  common  error,  of 
believing  her  senses.  It  was  her  firzt  visit  to  Wesi 
Point.  All  the  "  means  of  Attack,"  having  been  gone 
through,  our  hero  should  have  been  thinking  of  the  '•  means 
of  defense,"  against  the  bright  revolvers  directed  at  him 
—  so  dangerously  near  —  when  the  drum  beat  for  parade. 

After  his  departure,  lone  stood  looking  at  *  column  of 
war ',  and  determined  to  make  a  drawing  of  it,  to  send  it  to 
her  mother  —  she  would  examine  all  the  works  she  could 
find  access  to,  and  get  its  wonderful  history.  What  a  won- 
derful place  West  Point  must  be  —  for  gaining  information  ! 
To  see  such  curiosities,  and  meet  people  from  all  parts  of 
the  world,  oh,  she  would  enrich  herself  by  the  wealth  of 
knowledge  she  would  bear  home  on  her  wings,  which  she 
would  hive  like  the  toiling  bee.  Delightful  thought ! 

Madam  Bobaline  stood  gazing  on  vacancy,  thinking 
of —  Lieutenant  Saberin.  "  Where  is  he  ?  Is  he  sick  in 
New  York?" 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  37 


LESSON    FOURTH. 

WJieeling. 

The  reveries  of  both  ladies  were  disturbed  by  Lieutenants 
Burlyton  and  Mera.  They  saluted  Mrs.  Bobaline,  and 
were  introduced  to  '  lone '  (Mrs.  Bobaline  \vas  enchanted 
with  the  nice  name  she  had  given  poor  Isa-gone !) 

"  Ho,  for  parade  !  Are  you  not  going  out,  ladies  ?  "  said 
Lieutenant  Burlyton. 

"  I  do  not  care  to  go,  unless  lone  is  anxious  to  see  it." 

"  Well !  young  lady,  have  you  tired  yourself  with  the 
Cadies.  too?" 

"  Tired  ?  I  don't  know  but  one,  are  they  all  like  Cadet 
Smith  ?  as  clever  as  he  ?  "  lone  replied,  in  a  tone  of  sur- 
prise. 

Lieutenant  Burlyton  shouted,  "  Ha  !  ha  !  ha !  O,  mad- 
am, you  must  take  her  out  to  see  what  few  more  we  have, 
of  'the  same  sort ;  or  permit  me  to  play  chaperone,  I  will 
bring  her  back  safely." 

lone  did  not  look  very  anxious  to  go,  as  the  young  gen- 
tleman's laugh  made  her  shrink  from  encountering  his  wit 
again.  She  had  nothing  to  say.  Her  ladyship  thanked 
him,  and  told  lone  to  go  by  all  means,  she  could  not  have 
a  more  delightful  escort.  He  knew  she  spoke  ironically, 
as  the  truth-telling  Lieutenant  was  not  a  favorite  of  hers. 
Pie  dropped  his  arms  and  made  her  a  "  first-class"  school- 
boy bow.  All  laughed,  as  all  always  did,  at  every  move- 
ment or  speech  of  Lieutenant  Burlyton.  lone  walked  off" 
humming  a  tune. 

"  You  have  a  Miss  Mimosa  there,  madam." 

'•  Yes,  an  original,  decidedly,"  she  said.  Lieutenant 
Mera  leaned  on  the  balustrade  —  regarding  madam,  scarcely 
deigning  to  look  at  the  new  comer,  whom  he  seemed  to 
think  was  more  like  a  Chinese  than  any  one  he  had  ever 
seen.  The  accomplished  and  lovely  Mrs.  Bobaline  quite 
eclipsed  all  the  young  beauties  of  the  petty  court,  and  led 


38  Tactics;  or, 

captive  the  fastidious  and  reserved  Mera.  As  soon  as  they 
were  left  alone,  he  asked  Madam  Bobaline  if  she  would 
prefer  to  take  a  seat  on  the  piazza,  or  go  into  the  parlor. 
She  would  prefer  the  piazza,  and  he  brought  chairs  and 
they  sat  down,  near  a  group  of  ladies. 

Lieutenant  Burlyton  sauntered  to  some  ladies,  friends 
of  his.  and  told  them  to  look  out  for  the  little  Oriental  he 
was  going  to  drill  —  a  new  importation  from  the  gold  re- 
gions. 

They  did  "  look  out ''  for  her,  as  she  came  leisurely  to- 
wards her  aunt,  her  proud  little  head  and  neat  shoulders 
enveloped  in  a  rich  lace  shawl.  Mrs.  Bobaline  looked,  and 
was  not  ashamed  of  her.  Lieutenant  Mera  glanced,  and 
wished  he  had  taken  the  wind  out  of  Lieutenant  Burly- 
ton's  sails,  and  asked  her  himself.  He  had  brought  his 
friend  B.  to  do  just  what  he  had  done,  to  take  the  young 
lady  away  from  Mrs.  Bobaline,  as  he  imagined  he  had  an 
ax  to  grind.  "  You  are  very  quiet  to-day,  my  lady  ;  are 
you  quite  well  ?  " 

"Yes,  thank  you  !"     And  she  sat  gazing  on  vacancy. 


Inspection. 

Lieutenant  Mera's  eyes  wandered  off,  to  a  gentle  girl 
in  blue,  who  was  looking  wistfully  after  the  Oriental,  think- 
ing to  herself, —  "  why  do  men  always  follow  new  faces, 
leaving  those  they  pretend  to  love  so  much,  for  the  first 
stranger  !  O,  man  !  from  your  baby-hood  you  leave  the 
dearest  ones,  from  early  morning,  without  a  glance  of  re- 
gret, to  linger  all  day,  near  those  you  hate,  and  fight,  nor 
think  of  the  loving  and  indulgent  at  home,  till  you  have 
been  whipped  by  some  '  big  boy,'  or  darkness,  and  your 
dav's  struggle  after  marbles,  bring  you  home  —  to  a  supper, 
and  good-night  kiss  from  the  neglected  mother  and  sis- 
ters !  Later,  the  humble  cottage,  embowered  in  roses  and 
jasmines  —  where  you  were  petted,  and  waited  for  — 
where  dwelt  the  fair  face,  and  warm  young  heart,  you 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  39 

turned  from  so  thoughtlessly,  to  play  at  a  more  momentous 
game  than  marbles,  in  the  great  unloving  world.  At 
partinir,  a  warm  embrace,  and  a  few,  very  few  words  of 
comfort  and  hope  for  the  meek  worshipper,  who  thought  her 
life  too  poor  a  sacrifice  for  so  noble  a  divinity.  Did  you 
ever  return  to  the  sacred  scenes?  Never,  until  a  wearv 
man,  you  go  back  to  sit  on  a  little  green  mound,  under 
the  very  trees  that  waved  softly  over  you,  and  a  soft- 
voiced  loved  one  at  your  side,  long  years  before,  when  you 
promised  so  fervently  to  love  and  cherish  that  which  i» 
now  the  wee  handful  of  dust  that  rests  beneath  the  grass1, 
and  violets.  Why  come  back  at  all  ?  To  make  happy 
the  heart  that,  weary  with  waiting,  had  broken  ?  Have 
you  learned  what  it  is  to  be  alone  ?  or  lias  some  per- 
fume on  the  breath  of  June,  transported  you  to  the 
year,  the  month,  the  day,  the  hour,  you  had  that  wealth 
of  love  thrown  away  upon  you?  —  such  love  as  you 
never  since  have  known.  Perhaps  an  irresistible  impulse 
has  drawn  you  back,  to  permit  the  patient  worshipper 
once  more  to  tell  you  how  she  loves  to  caress  the  wearv 
head  ;  thinking  perhaps,  that  you  will  condescend  to  tell 
her  that  you  love  her  ;  that  she  was  not  really  forgotten 
all  these  years  !  That  you  had  seen  her  in  dreams  !  — 
yes! — in  dreams  the  angels,  in  pity,  brought  to  your 
distracted  brain.  Your  day-dreams  were,  position,  wealth, 
ambition!  Love  was  for  pastime  —  and  must  not  inter- 
fere \\ith  these!  Too  late!  The  knell  is  sounding 
among  the  mournful  trees  —  the  peace  you  would  have 
brought,  was  all  too  late  !  Did  God's  peace  come  too 
soon  ?  These  were  the  thoughts  that  sat  in  solemn  con- 
clave, in  the  upper  room,  just  above  those  dove-like  blue 
eyes  ;  some  of  them  from  observation,  some  from  experi- 
ence. 

Lieutenant  Mera  nearly  fell  asleep,  looking  at  the  heav- 
enly blue  of  those  eyes,  and  forgot  to  grind  his  hatchet. 
Madam  felt  neglected. 


40  Tactics;  or, 


"  INSTRUCTION    FOR    SKIRMISHERS." 

"  To  Deploy  Forward" 

'  It  is  so  very  lonely  to  think  of  Lieutenant  Bobaline 
being  gone  so  long! — a  lady  cannot  go  anywhere  on 
West  Point  without  an  escort ;  indeed,  one  might  as 
well  take  the  veil  at  once,  as  to  be  here,  unattended.'' 

Lieutenant  Mera  aroused,  begged  to  be  the  humble  ser- 
vant of  the  ladies  in  such  a  deplorable  situation,  would 
she  not  call  on  him? 

She  bowed  her  beautiful  head,  and  thanked  him  for  his 
kindness  :  Yes,  she  would  avail  herself  of  his  offer  for 
lone's  sake,  as  she  feared  she  should  find  it  very  stupid 
without  her  uncle ;  indeed,  she  dreaded  the  responsibility, 
as  lone  had  very  much  the  air  of  a  spoiled  child. 

Lieutenant  Mera  said  "  You  should  have  introduced 
her  to  the  officers  first,  as  I  fear  the  '  Cadies  '/as  Lieuten- 
ant Burlyton  denominates  them,  will  not  give  us  a  bird's 
eye  view  of  her ;  but  while  they  are  making  Miss  lone 
happy,  you  must  make  amends  for  the  oversight,  by  not 
secluding  yourself, —  because  the  owner  of  the  garden  is 
absent,  the  fragrance  of  the  rose  must  not  be  denied  to 
the  zephyrs. 

She  raised  her  head  in  a  haughty  manner,  and  said,  "  I 
do  not  intend  to  seclude  myself  on  account  of  my  hus- 
band's absence,  he  would  be  displeased  if  I  should  ;  but  I 

should   not  be  missed  where  there'  are   so   manv  voung 

•  i    " 
girls. 

"  There  is  a  mistake  in  your  remark,  my  dear  lady  ! 
Your  own  observation  should  have  taught  you,  that  the 
unrestrained  conversation  of  an  accomplished  and  beauti- 
ful woman,  can  win  a  sensible  man  from  the  side  of  the 
most  fascinating  belle.  lean  bring  witnesses !"  and  he 
looked  out  of  the  corner  of  his  eye  roguishly,  at  her." 

"  Of  whom  do  you  speak  ?  "  she  replied,  timidly. 

Lieutenant  Mera  prided  himself  on  his  acumen  in  the 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps.  41 

science  of  woman-reading  ;  indeed,  he  was  accustomed  to 
say,  that  "  he  knew  them  by  heart."  He  had  not  an- 
swered her,  and  she  said,  "  You  will  not  be  anything  but 
a  witness  against  yourself,  for  you  prefer  the  society  of 
any  one  to  mine  !  " 

"  O,  Mrs.  Bobaline,  how  severe  of  you  to  say  that  to 
me !  You  must  be  perfectly  aware  that  I  prefer  your  so- 
ciety to  that  of  any  young  lady.  I  left  your  side  only 
when  I  felt  that  I  was  depriving  others  of  a  pleasure, 
whose  claims  were  stronger  than  mine,  or  at  least  ac- 
knowledged." 

"  I  acknowledge  no  one's  claims,  but  Lieutenant  Boba- 
line's." 

She  spoke  resentfully,  and  Mera  liked  her  none  the  less. 


"  SCHOOL    OF   THE    COMPANY." 

"  Countermarch.'''' 

Madame  Bobaline  and  Lieutenant  Mera  sat  for  some 
time  in  silence,  while  their  minds  countermarched,  musing 
over  the  field  of  the  past.  She  knew  he  was  a  sincere 
admirer  of  hers,  though,  as  he  had  never  proposed,  not  a 
discarded  lover.  She  however  preferred  the  handsome, 
indifferent  Saberin,  and  flattered  him,  and  was  delighted 
when  they  were  stationed  at  West  Point,  together.  Lieu- 
tenant Mera,  while  he  had  not  quite  recovered  from  the 
wound  her  bright  eyes  had  given  him,  liked  her  frank, 
manly  husband,  and  was  very  jealous  for  him  ;  while,  in 
point  of  fact  there  was  little  cause  for  it,  as  Lieutenant 
Saberin  was  too  .much  absorbed  in  his  own  ambitious 
schemes,  to  pay  much  heed  to  her  silly  sighing  for  his  so- 
ciety. 

At  length  the  lady  yawned,  and  looking  toward  the 
long  line  of  well-dressed  ladies  and  their  gaily  caparisoned 
escorts  as  they  returned  from  parade,  exclaimed,  "  O, 
clear !  what  a  tiresome  routine.  I  should  think  those 


• 

42  Tactics ;  or, 

people  would  weary  to  death  of  each  other  and  of  pa- 
rades." 

"  Of  parades,  I  suppose  they  do  ;  but  of  each  other,  a 
benignant  Creator  has  kindly  dispensed,  that  the  more  we 
see  of  our  kinds  tne  more  indispensable  we  become  to  the 
complete  happiness,  each  of  the  other.  These  are  even 
Byron's  sentiments,  in  the  "  Bride-of  Abydos." 

"  To  view  alone 

The  fairest  scenes  of  land  and  deep, 
AVith  none  to  listen  and  reply 
To  thoughts  with  which  my  heart  beats  high, 
Were  irksome  ;  for  whate'er  my  mood, 
In  sooth  I  love  not  solitude  !" 

When  he  turned  to  Mrs.  Bobaline,  she  was  just  disap- 
pearing round  the  corner  of  the  piazza.  Lieutenant  Bur- 
lyton and  lone  came  up. 

"  What  have  you  done  with  Viola,  Lieutenant  Mera  ?  " 
"  Indeed,  Miss  lone,  I   exerted  myself  to  my  hurt,  to 
keep  Madam  here  till  you  returned  in  safety,  but  was  not 
sufficiently  entertaining." 

" Instruction  of  Officers" 

lone  sat  down  to  rest  a  moment.  Lieutenant  Mera  said, 
"  Did  Lieutenant  Burlyton  do  the  honors  of  "  Flirtation," 
for  you  this  afternoon  ?  " 

"  The  honors  of  what  ?  "  she  asked  in  astonishment. 

"  O,  don't  be  putting  those  things  into  her  head,  she 
will  learn  them  soon  enough,"  Lieutenant  Burlyton  re- 
plied. Then  turning  to  lone,  '•  You  never  flirted  a  mite, 
in  all  your  pretty  life,  I'll  bet  my  hat  on  that !  " 

'•  No,  indeed  !  and  I  never  intend  to  !  '* 

"  Well,  but  every  one  has  to,  on  West  Point,  do  they 
not,  Burlyton  ?  " 

"  There  is  a  good  deal  of  traffic  in  that  line  here,  but 
as  to  the  absolute  necessity,  why,  that  includes'  present 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  43 

company,  and  Miss  lone  has  found  a  paternal  in  me  for 
the  last  hour,  instead  of  a  foolish  flatterer  as  some  of  you 
young  ones  would  have  been.  Miss  lone,  you  will  find 
them  out," 

"  Indeed,  I  should  prefer  finding  people  in,"  laughed  she. 

Lieutenant  Mera  rejoined,  "  Colonel  Burlyton  concedes 
great  depth  to  us  young  men,  which  is  quite  flattering 
from  such  a  veteran  as  he  !  I'll  answer  for  it  Miss  lone 
will  find  us  out  when  she  is  out." 

lone  smiled  good-humoredlv,  and  said  she  must  seek 
Viola. 

"  Please  say,  I  will  wait  for  her,  as  the  tables  are  full." 
cried  Lieutenant  Mera  after  her. 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  I'll  squeeze  you  in  beside  me,  Mera,  rather 
than  keep  you  waiting,"  laughed  Lieutenant  Burlyton. 
Mera  hummed  "  Gentle  Zitella,"  and  threw  himself  on  the 
sofa. 

"  DRESS." 

lone  found  Violetta  reading.  She  laid  her  book  down 
and  arrayed  herself  for  tea ;  asking,  "  How  do  you  like 
Lieutenant  Burlyton,  lone?  Did  he  introduce  you  to 
any  one  ?  " 

"  No,  he  did  not,  the  people  stare  so  rudely,  that  one 
would  hardly  desire  an  introduction." 

"  O,  don't  be  foolish  !  Yours  happens  to  be  a  new  face  I 
every  stranger  lias  to  pass  through  the  same  ordeal  here." 

"  There  are  so  few  of  them,"  said  lone,  slyly. 

"  But  now  I  recollect  Lieutenant  Mera  said  he  would 
wait  to  take  you  in  to  tea.  "  I  think  Lieutenant  Burlyton 
is  too  severe." 

"  Why,  what  did  he  say  ?  Where  did  you  see  Lieuten- 
ant Mera?" 

Mrs.  Bobaline  had  a  habit  of  asking  two  or  three  ques- 
tions at  ongf?,  without  waiting  for  a  reply,  looking  the  while 
at  her  hands,  rings,  bracelets,  brooch,  watch-chain  and 
sleeves,  arranging  all  these  little  affairs.  I  think  all  Mrs. 
Bobalines  do  this. 


44  Tactics;  or, 

"In  the  hall, —  he's  so  very  elegant!  don't  you  like 
him  ?  "  The  last  words  were  addressed  to  her  own  little 
face  in  the  glass,  as  she  was  much  amused  to  hear  Viola's 
tiny  feet,  pattering  away  through  the  hall  to  tea,  and  the 
little  face  nodded  a  funny  assent. 

.Mrs.  Bobaline  and  Lieutenant  Mera  were  standing  in 
the  hall.  As  she  came  down,  she  heard  Viola  say  k-  after 
singing  Tennyson's  *  Miller's  Daughter '  to  me,  she  first 
thought  of  you,  sitting  alone  here." 

Lieutenant  Mera  raised  his  killing  eyes  on  lone,  till  hers 
fell,  before  his  look  of  scrutiny.  "  I  will  forgive  Miss  lone, 
if  it  proves  not  the  last  thought  she  gives  me,"  he  said 
bowing  apologetically. 

lone  thought,  I  fear  it  will  not,  if  I  get  glances  like  that, 
often. 

When  the  trio  entered  the  dining-hall,  the  attention  they 
attracted,  pronounced  them  a  distinguished  looking  party. 
Mrs.  Bobaline  gave  lone  a  seat  next  to  Lieutenant  Mera, 
who  proved  that  he  could  give  pleasure  to  those  with  whom 
he  conversed,  if  he  chose.  lone  was  delighted  with  the 
grace  and  delicacy  of  his  compliments.  As  they  left  the 
dining-room,  he  asked  her  if  she  would  be  disengaged  after 
half  past  nine.  She  did  not  understand  Rule  101  of  West 
Point  Tactics  —  That  all  ladies  on  "  The  Post  "  are  en- 
gaged to  Cadets  till  that  hour,  on  Saturday  afternoon,  — 
and  the  officers  seldom  encroach  upon  their  privileges,  as 
they  have  very  few,  and  said,  — 

"  I  have  no  engagement  for  this  evening." 

"  Lieutenant  Mera  exchanged  smiles  with  Mrs.  B.  at 
Tone's  naivete,  and  bowing  said,  "  I'll  see  you  then." 

Cadet  Smith  came  early,  and  promenaded  on  "he  piazza, 
with  lone,  until  ".Tattoo."  He  poured  into  her  sympa- 
thizing ear  the  many  privations  and  sorrows  of  the  cadets, 
but  she  was  perfectly  mystified,  with  the  militay  terms 
and  localisms.  Lieutenant  Mera  waited  to  meet  her,  as 
Mr.  Smith  left  her,  and  laughing,  led  her  to  a  aeat. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  45 


"REST." 

"Now  Miss  lone,  rest  thee  awhile,  you  hare  travelled 
so  far  this  evening." 

"  Travelled  ?  " 

"  I  beg  pardon,  but  how  far  do  you  think  you  and  Mr. 
Smith  could  have  walked,  going  at  the  rapid  rate  you  have 
promenaded  to-night?" 

She  looked  shyly  at  him,  and  he  added,  "  Now  rest  thee 
well,  and  let  us  listen  to  the  evening  zephyrs,  singing  yon 
lovely  river's  lullabv." 

"  Sir  Walter  Scott !  "  said  lone,  laughing. 

He  sat  in  silence,  or  repeated  gems  from  the  poets  in 
low  rich  tones,  that  bound  the  dreaming  girl  like  a  spell. 
He  was  a  philosopher,  and  knew  that  after  exercise,  rest 
was  welcome, —  delightful,  and  after  an  animated  conversa- 
tion, silence,  or  loving  words  in  low  sweet  tones,  would  be 
magical.  The  river  was  truly  lovely.  The  quiet  stars, 
those  faithful  watchers  —  reflected  in  the  placid  mirror,  re- 
vealed the  scenery,  beautiful  as  a  dream,  portrayed  in  its 
perfectness,  and  the  tiny  ships  and  boats  moving  noiselessly 
on  like  a  phantom  fleet. 

lone  enjoyed  it  with  such  intensity,  that  she  "  forgot  all 
time,"  and  it  was  eleven  o'clock  when  Mrs.  Bobaline  came 
to  say  good-night,  to  them.  She  started  to  her  feet, 
"  You  will  not  go  without  me,  Viola  !  " 

"  O,  no,  if  you  wish  me  to  stay,  but  it  is  getting  late, 
and  as  there  is  no  one  that  cares  for  the  smiles  of  a  mar- 
ried lady,  I  conclude  to  retire." 

The  young  gentleman  winced,  at  having  his  own  words 
turned  against  himself,  but  turning  to  lone,  he  said,  "  Mrs. 
Uobaline  expressed  a  kind  fear  that  you  would  miss  your 
uncle  so  much,  that  I  offered  to  do  all  in  my  power,  to  h'll 
his  place.  May  I  play  uncle  ?  " 

lone  looked  mischievously  at  her  aunt.  "  If  Viola 
chooses." 


46  Tactics;  or, 

"  I  fear  Lieutenant  Mera  has  not  counted  the  cost.  If 
we  accepted,  our  very  gratitude  might  become  a  burden." 

"  I  see  I  am  not  to  be  uncle,  may  I  try  to  persuade  Mrs. 
Bobaline  to  take  me  for  a  nephew  ?  1  will  be  immensely 
dutiful." 

It  was  Viola's  turn  to  look  mischievous.  "  If  lone 
chooses  !  "  she  repeated. 

"  'So  much  to  win,  so  much  to  lose,  no  marvel  that  I 
fear  to  choose,'  "  replied  lone  in  mock  solemnity,  and  they 
said  good-night. 

Lieutenant  Mera  sat  and  smoked  a  cigar,  in  a  trance  of 
self  love,  till  the  stars  waned.  He  had  beguiled  the  pretty 
young  girl  into  forgetfulness,  he  had  wiled  delicious  flattery 
from  his  admired  lady  friend,  and  —  and  the  field  was  all 
his  own.  No  Lieutenant  Saberin  near  to  "  spoil  his  heart- 
felt *cjy." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  47 


TITLE  THIRD. 

SCHOOL    OF    THE    COMPANY. 

Lesson  First,  Article  First. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  entered  the  dining  room,  on  Monday, 
intending  to  sit  at  table  an  indefinite  period  of  time,  till 
her  hero  made  his  appearance ;  but  was  surprised  to  see 
him  seated  by  Lieutenant  Mera,  in  an  earnest  conversa- 
tion. He  arose,  greeted  her  warmly,  seated  her  at  table, 
resumed  his  own  seat,  and  said  no  more. 

Lieutenant  Mera  called  out,  "  Now  our  party  is  com- 
plete, can  we  not  get  up  a  sail  to  Cro'nest  ?  it  would  be 
something  new." 

"  Yes,  as  novel  as  a  joke  from  Lieutenant  Mera,"  shouted 
Lieutenant  Burly  ton. 

Presently  the  door  of  the  dining  room  opened,  and  some 
one  took  a  seat  at  Mrs.  Bobaline's  side.  Lieutenant  Bur- 
lyton,  who  was  seated  opposite,  looked  up  at  Lieutenant 
Mera,  and  winked  to  him,  saying, 

"  That  Dora  Bellamy  will  make  some  nice  man  a  wife." 

A  low  voice  said,  "  Would  I  were  Dora." 

"  No  one  spoke,  and  the  tease  bit  his  lip,  and  looked 
foiled.  Lieutenant  Saberin  leaned  forward,  for  a  dish  of 
asparagus,  and  glanced  below  him,  but  found  his  glance 
taken  prisoner,  by  two  sentinels  in  blue. 

The  room  was  very  quiet  till  dinner  wras  over.  In  the 
hall  Lieutenant  Burlyton  whispered  to  lone,  laughed,  and 
walked  off  tra-la-la-ing,  to  show  himself  "  fancy-free."  In 
the  parlor  the  pretty  rosy  fingers  of  Mrs.  Bobaline  touch- 
ed the  keys  of  the  piano,  at  first  a  little  staccato,  gradu- 
ally growing  tender,  even  mournful. 

"  lone  ?  " 


48  Tactics ;  or, 

lone  was  gone.  Mrs.  Bobaline  arose  and  went  to  her 
room.  lone  sat  on  the  floor,  reading  a  volume  of  illus- 
trated Pickwick.  Viola  silently  arrayed  herself  in  a 
beautiful  and  becoming  blue  robe  of  foulard  silk,  and  lay 
down  to  take  her  siesta.  This  was  indispensable  to  her 
existence,  she  affirmed.  She  could  not  sleep.  She  was 
feverish  and  restless. 

"  lone  ;  why  did  you  answer  that  terrible  Burly  ton  ?  I 
was  quite  angrv  !  " 

"  O,  aunty,  only  to  '  conciliate'  him,  as  he  calls  it."  And 
she  yawned,  as  if  she  would  swallow  Pickwick  literally. 

"  Well  please  do  not  make  yourself  conspicuous,  by 
speaking  to  him  again  ;  do  not  answer  him  !  "  She  tossed 
awhile,  closed1  her  soft  eyes,  but  not  to  sleep  —  she  peeped 
through  the  long  lashes  at  the  bright  face  so  wilfully  hap- 
py, smiles,  or  a  low  musical  laugh,  broke  like  gleams  of 
sunshine  from  her  heart,  and  lips.  At  last  looking  up,.she 
saw  her  aunt  was  not  asleep,  and  said, 

"  Who  is  Apollo,  aunty  ?  " 

"  The  man  who  owns  the  Apollo-rooms,  I  suppose,  does 
not  Pickwick  tell  you  ?  " 

"  I  was  not  reading  —  I  was  thinking." 

"  Pray  don't  call  me  aunty  !  one  would  suppose  I  was 
an  old  black.  I  cannot  divine  how  you  ever  came  to  wo- 
man's estate,  so  like  a  plant  reared  in  a  cellar,  in  body  and 
mind." 

A  merry  laugh  trembled  out  of  lone's  throat,  at  the 
queer  image  conjured  up  before  her,  and  she  sprang  up  to 
look  into  the  mirror,  under  the  vague  apprehension  that 
she  should  see  a  long,  yellowish,  white  stalk  !  She  blushed 
when  she  saw  —  no  matter  !  —  yes,  more  mind  than  mat- 
ter. 

"  Well,  what  vanity  !  "  said  "  aunty  "  who  had  near 
wrung  her  neck,  to  see  the  cause  of  lone's  haste. 

"  Why  au  —  I  mean  Mrs.  —  I  mean,  I  was  frightened, 
lest  I  did  look  that  funny  way." 

Mrs.  Bobaline  laughed  in  a  very  merry  and  natural 
manner,  for  lone's  naivete  was  irresistible. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  49 

"  Why  did  you  ask  me  who  Apollo  was  ?  " 

"  Because  Lieutenant  Burly  ton  asked  me  in  the  hall,  if 
I  saw  Apollo  looking  at  me,  at  dinner. 

"  Who  did  he  mean  ?  " 

"  O,  he  was  only  laughing  at  that  tall  fellow  below  us,  at 
dinner." 

"What  is  his  name,  aunt — I  mean  —  what  shall  I 
call  you  ?  "  and  she  sat  down,  like  a  penitent,  on  the  floor 
beside  the  couch. 

"  Call  me  Viola  ;  his  name  is  Lieutenant  Saberin,"  and 
Mrs.  Bobaline  turned  her  face  away,  really  hating  herself 
for  being  so  cross,  but  unable  to  control  her  unbridled  tem- 
per, lone  murmured  a  sweet  little  home  song,  very  low. 
Her  aunt  exclaimed  pettishly, 

"  I  beg  you  will  not  sing,  when  I  lie  down  to  take  my 
siesta. 

The  head  of  lone  gradually  drooped  till  it  touched  the 
couch,  and  she  slept — instead  of  weeping  as  she  feared 
she  was  about  to  do  —  the  sleep  of  a  heart  at  peace  with 
all  the  world.  Mrs.  Bobaline  heard  her  regular  breathing, 
and  turned  to  look  at  the  gentle  face  at  her  side.  The 
sweet  repose  that  rested  there  recalled  the  time,  not  very 
far  back,  when  she  nestled  her  own  warm  young  cheek  on 
her  mother's  breast,  and  a  tear  stole  from  under  her  burn- 
ing eye-lid.  She  gently  stroked  the  silken  head.  "  In- 
deed, I  will  be  a  mother  to  you,  pretty  pne  ! "  she  mur- 
mured. 

lone,  aroused  from  her  light  sleep  by  the  voice  and 
touch  of  her  hand,  sat  up.  Mrs.  Bobaline  arose,  and  kiss- 
ed her  brow,  and  asked  her  to  lie  down.  lone  thanked 
her,  but  she  was  quite  refreshed,  and  she  wondered  what 
made  her  aunt  so  tender,  all  at  once. 

"  I  will  be  a  mother  to  you  !  "  Ah,  fair  lady,  you  had 
not  counted  the  cost  of  this  beautiful  impulse. 

"  lone,  would  you  like  to  go  to  parade?  " 

"  Of  all  things,  dear  Viola !  but  I  heard  you  say  it 
wearied  you  to  death." 


50  Tactics;  or, 

"  Well,  it  does  sometimes,  at  other  times  I  enjoy  it  very- 
much,  but  everything  must  go  just  right." 

"  Dear  me  !  "  said  the  artless  lone. 

They  went  to  the  hall,  hats  and  parasols  in  hand.  There 
were  no  officers  there ;  they  walked  into  the  parlor,  and 
lone  touched  the  keys  of  the  piano,  and  played  the  "  Offi- 
cers' call,"  which  she  had  caught  by  ear.  In  a  few  mo- 
ments Lieutenants  Storme  and  Burly  ton  came,  and  looked 
into  the  windows. 

"  Here  we  are,  lady  fair  !  will  you  honor  us  with  your 
commands  ? '' 

They  came  into  the  parlor,  and  lone  retreated  to  the 
window. 

"  Don't  spring  out,  now  !  Permit  me  to  present  Lieu- 
tenant Storme  ;  —  Miss  Smith.  I  believe  you  have  the 
pleasure  of  knowing  Madam  Bobaline." 

This  lady  looked  daggers  at  him.  She  had  not  noticed 
what  lone  was  playing,  and  would  rather  have  stopped  in 
the  house,  than  go  out  with  the  two  gentlemen  she  was 
more  indifferent  to,  than  all  the  rest.  "  We  are  waiting 
for  some  friends,"  she  observed  in  as  quiet  a  manner  as 
she  could  command. 

"  O,  then  you  did  not  mean  to  call  ws,  Miss  lone  ?  " 

"  Call  you  ?  "  echoed  her  aunt. 

"  Yes,  she  played  the  '  Officers'  call.'  ' 

Mrs.  Bobaline's  fair  face  darkened,  and  she  sat  down  to 
play.  While  she  was  executing  some  of  her  finest  airs, 
the  gentlemen  were  enjoying  a  spirited  conversation  with 
lone.  Lieutenant  Mera  came  in,  and  as  he  went  directly 
to  Mrs.  Bobaline,  the  young  men  concluded  the  "friend" 
had  arrived,  and  withdrew. 

"  DEPLOYMENTS." 

"  Lesson  Second" 

As  soon  as  they  were  gone,  Viola  turned,  and  looked 
at  lone ;  the  girl  became  crimson  as  guilt. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  51 

"  What  did  you  do  that  foolish  thing  for  ?  Now  we 
shall  be  too  late  for  parade." 

Lieutenant  Mera  gave  an  inquiring  glance  at  lone.  She 
smiled,  and  said,  "  I  suppose  it  was  foolish,  but  I  caught 
the  air,  by  hearing  it,  and  scarcely  knew  I  was  playing  it, 
and  I  assure  you  I  knew  nothing  of  their  presence,  or 
even  what  Lieutenant  Burlyton  meant  till  he  explained." 

Mrs.  Bobaline  still  felt  much  annoyed,  and  left  the  room, 
lone  related  to  her  companion,  how  she  had  offended.  **  I 
love  that  martial  bugle,  and  have  caught  several  of  the  lit- 
tle airs  from  it." 

Lieutenant  Mera  bowed  his  head,  and  whispered  "  play 
it  softly  sometimes,  and  I  will  come,  at  least  if  you  desire 
it." 

"  O,  Lieutenant  Mera,  I  could  not  do  that !  "  and  she 
blushed  deeply,  and  followed  her  aunt,  her  companion 
joined  her,  and  though  they  walked  quickly,  were  unable 
to  overtake  the  receding  figure  of  Madam  B.,  till  she  was 
lost  among  the  crowd  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  gathered 
about  the  iron  seats  on  the  parade  ground.  As  they  ap- 
proached, they  saw  she  had  gained  a  seat,  and  that  the 
Colonel  was  standing  by  her.  He  soon  left  her,  and 
brought  up  one  or  two  others,  so  that  she  was  surround- 
ed by  officers  till  the  parade  was  over.  lone  went  as 
near  her  aunt  as  she  could  get,  but  her  ladyship  took  no 
notice  of  her,  and  though  the  Colonel  turned  to  permit 
her  to  join  the  circle,  Viola  neither  recognised  nor  intro- 
duced her,  which  greatly  surprised  and  mortified  her,  and 
she  stood  in  silence  by  Lieutenant  Mera's  side. 

As  soon  as  parade  was  over,  Cadet  Smith  came  and  gave 
her  a  book  to  read,  assuring  her  that  it  was  a  charming 
story.  The  Colonel  and  Lieutenant  Mera  walked  with  them 
to  the  hotel,  the  former  gentleman  bidding  Mrs.  Bobaline 
a  very  sentimental  good-night,  while  the  latter  begged  to 
accompany  them  to  tea,  and  took  a  seat  on  the  piazza  af- 
ter tea,  with  them. 

Here    Lieutenant    Burlyton  joined    them,   and  having 


52  Tactics;  or, 

saluted  the  ladies,  said  —  "  Miss  lone,  what  a  fancy  name 
you  have,  how  came  you  by  it  ?  " 

Viola  glanced  at  her,  and  replied  for  her,  "  O,  do  not 
ask." 

"  Why  ?  "  he  interrogated,  curiously." 

You  are  not  sensitive  about  your  name  too,  are  you  ?  " 
asked  Lieutenant  Mera. 

"  O,  it  is  such  a  comical  collection,"  laughed  Madam. 

"  No,  indeed,  Lieutenant  Mera,  I  am  rather  proud  of  it, 
amusing  as  Viola  seems  to  think  it." 

Mrs.  Bobaline  could  not  suppress  another  musical  laugh. 

Lieutenant  Burly  ton  said  abruptly,  "  I  don't  know  a 
more  comical  name  than  Bobaline  !  " 

"  But  her  name  is  Isao-one  Bobaline  Smith  —  isn't  that 
funny?" 

They  all  laughed.  lone  blushed  and  parried  the  joke 
by  saying,  her  mother  was  French  by  descent,  and  that 
her  grandmother's  maiden  name  was  Isagone  Bayard,  that 
her  mother  had  given  her  the  good  lady's  name  in  full. 

"  You  never  told  me  that.  I  thought  the  B.  in  your 
name  stood  for  Bobaline,"  said  her  aunt,  resentfully. 

Lieutenant  Mera  rose  in  the  awkward  pause  that  en- 
sued, and  asked  Madam  to  walk.  As  they  proceeded,  he 
very  adroitly  soothed  her  wounded  vanity  :  "  Any  one 
can  see  at  a  glance  that-Bobaline  is  a  change  from  Robert 
Allreine,  the  name  no  doubt  of  a  brave  French  knight,  of 
three  or  four  centuries  back  ;  only  that  Lieutenant  B.  is 
such  a  noble,  matter-of-fact  fellow,  that  he  never  troubles 
himself  about  such  trifles." 

"  Trifles  !  "  cried  the  excited  lady,  "  One's  name  is 
no  trifle  ;  and  if  it  is  so,  why  should  not  my  husband  at- 
tend to  it?  He  ought,  for  —  for  my  sake.  I  hate  the 
name,  and  have  never  been  addressed  by  it  without  feeling 
mortified." 

"  You  must  make  him  attend  to  it  at  once." 

This  delicate  consideration  made  the  humbled  lady  al- 
most love  the  wily  one,  and  he  assumed  at  once  the  pro- 
portions of  a  man  of  taste  and  discernment  in  her  eyes. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  53 

"  Write  your  name  B-e-a-u-b-a-1-l-e-i-n-e,  —  is  not  that 
pretty?" 

Mrs.  Bobaline  said  she  would  ask  permission  of  Lieu- 
tenant B.,  as  she  always  called  him  ;  she  could  not  bring 
herself  to  speak  the  disagreeable  cognomen,  but  to  do  her 
justice  she  had  too  mucli  feeling  to  tell  him  so.  She  was 
silent  for  some  time  and  then  said,  "  I  don't  see  why  his 
name  was  not  Bayard,  that  is  a  sweet  name." 

"  Lieutenant  Mera  bit  his  lip,  and  thought  "  how  wo- 
manish !  " 

"  LESSON    THIRD." 

"  Oblique  Firings" 

Lieutenants  Mera  and  Saberin  laughed  merrily,  as 
they  emerged  from  the  breakfast-room,  the  former  had 
been  amusing  his  friend  by  repeating  the  conversation  of 
the  evening  before,  on  the  subject  of  names.  They  took 
their  hats  and  walked  to  the  north  door  of  the  hall. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  asked,  "  What  is  the  sum  of  Miss 
Smith  ?  " 

"  Not  much,  she  is  just  so  so,"  replied  Lieutenant  Me- 
ra shrugging  his  elegant  shoulders. 

"  I  perceive ;  —  one  who  plays  round  the  head,  but 
comes  not  near  the  heart." 

"  Precisely  !  " 

"  Yet  she  seems  rather  brilliant  in  her  tiltings  with  Bur- 
lyton."  Looking  up,  they  saw  Mrs.  Bobaline  on  the  piaz- 
za, and  saluted  her  as  Mrs.  Beauballeine,  with  a  very  dis- 
agreeable look  of  mirth  in  their  eyes.  But  their  own 
mortification  would  have  been  exquisite,  had  they  known 
that  lone  was  seated  in  the  private  parlor,  and  had  heard 
every  word  they  had  said. 

The  book  Cadet  Smith  had  given  lone  the  evening  be- 
fore, she  had  brought  down  in  her  hand  when  she  came  to 
breakfast,  and  had  gone  in  the  parlor  to  read  it,  while  Mrs. 
Bobaline,  supposing  she  had  gone  to  her  room,  lingered 
on  the  piazza,  to  get  a  bow  from  her  hero. 


54  Tactics ;  or, 

The  gentlemen  conversed  a  few  moments  with  her  when 
Lieutenant  Saberin  turned  to  go  to  the  office,  but  stopped 
before  entering  the  hall,  and  drawing  a  letter  from  his 
pocket,  examined  the  address.  Not  a  movement  was  lost 
on  Mrs.  Bobaline,  who,  in  the  pause  of  the  conversation, 
heard  him  say,  "  She  is  mine,  by  Jupiter."  She  forgot  to 
reply  to  some  nice  remark  from  Lieutenant  Mora,  quite 
piquing  that  young  gentleman,  who  left  her  suddenly,  just 
as  Lieutenant  Saberin  turned  from  the  telescope,  at  which 
he  had  stopped  to  take  a  peep  at  a  yatch.  He  did  not  look 
at  Mrs.  Bobaline,  but  as  he  turned  and  entered  the 
hall,  a  letter  fell  from  his  coat,  and  blew  towards  her. 
She  snatched  it  up  and  throwing  it  into  the  parlor-window, 
retreated  hastily  around  the  piazza,  in  time  to  see  Lieuten- 
ant Saberin  going  quickly  towards  the  post-office. 

The  letter  flew  into  lone's  face  with  such  force,  as  to 
make  her  nearly  cry  out.  Glancing  out  of  the  window 
and  seeing  no  one,  she  concluded  some  cadet  had  thrown 
it,  and  flew  to  her  room,  without  looking  at  it.  When 
Mrs.  Bobaline  ran  into  the  parlor  to  secure  her  treasure, 
she  looked  diligently  for  it,  but  no  letter  was  there.  She 
ran  to  the  piazza ;  had  it  flown  out  of  the  window  ?  No, 
there  was  no  letter,  she  could  scarcely  credit  her  senses  : 
but  fearing  Lieutenant  Saberin's  return  to  look  for  it,  she 
fled  to  her  room,  and  like  a  wretched  culprit,  locked  her 
door,  and  wept  violently,  plead  head-ache  to  lone,  and  was 
invisible  for  the  next  twelve  hours. 


"  LESSON    FOURTH." 

"  Fire  and  Load  Lying" 

"  Ah,  that  falsehood  should  steal  such  gentle  shapes, 
And  with  a  virtuous  visor  hide  deep  vice. ' ' 

As  Mrs.  Bobaline  and  lone  sat  on  the  piazza,  lone  look- 
ed over  the  plain,  and  longed  to  become  invisible,  that  she 
might  have  one  grand  romp  over  its  beautiful  expanse. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  55 

She  felt  like  a  poor  prisoner,  and  heartily  sympathized  with 
the  cadets.     "  Viola,  let  us  go  and  take  a  walk." 

"  You  are  not  used  to  the  trammels  of  society,  are  you, 
lone  ?  " 

There  was  something  terrible  in  her  aunt's  scornful  lit- 
tle laugh,  whenever  the  poor  girl  made  a  remark,  and  now 
she  looked  so  disappointed,  that  her  aunt  condescended  to 
say,  "  Why  my  dear,  I  could  not  walk  across  that  plain 
for  any  consideration,  without  an  escort.  When  I  was  a 
Florida  belle,  I  knew  Lieutenants  Saberin  and  Mera,  and 
I  never  went  out  without  one  or  two  officers  in  my  train, 
and  do  you  think  I  would  let  my  old  beaux  see  me  walk- 
ing like  a  servant,  unescorted  ?  " 

"  Dear  Viola,  we  need  not  care  for  any  one.  I  am  sure 
I  don't,  and  you  are  married,  aren't  you  ?  "  plead  lone. 

"  Hush  !  do  not  let  any  one  hear  you  express  yourself 
so  vulgarly." 

"  I've  seen  ladies  walking  alone,  do,  dear  Viola  !     It 
will  be  so  charming." 

"  You  see  no  person  of  distinction  alone.  I  have  never 
done  it.  I  wonder  the  cadets  do  not  come  for  you  !  "  Mrs. 
Bobaline  spoke  severely  and  lone  felt  it. 

They  sat  a  few  moments  and  Mrs.  B.  arose  and  went  to 
the  parlor  window  ;  there  sat  Lieutenant  Mera,  with  a  book 
before  him,  apparently  fast  asleep.  She  turned  hastily  and 
entering  the  hall  door  said,  "  lone  put  on  your  things  ;  we 
will  go  out !  "  Her  voice  and  manner  had  changed  magi- 
cally. They  were  soon  walking  rapidly  down  the  cavalry 
road,  lone  lost  in  wondering  what  her  aunt  would  do  next. 
Near  the  chapel  they  met  Cadet  Smith.  Madam  gave  him 
a  sweet  smile,  and  he  turned  and  came  to  lone's  side. 

"  Where  are  your  smiles  to-day,  Miss  lone  ?  you  are 
walking  so  quickly  and  looking  so  demurely,  I  am  afraid 
you  are  *  Wheaton-ing  it,'  or  in  other  words,  on  your  way 
to  the  hospital." 

lone  smiled  faintly,  her  aunt  said  tartly,  "  We  are  walk- 
ing for  our  health  !  " 

"  Indeed  ?  "  he  replied,  then  lowering  his  voice,  asked 


56  Tactics;  or, 

lone,  "  how  long  since  you  have  lost  your  health,  and  got 
that  pretty  consumption  tinge  on  your  cheek  ?  " 

lone  laughed  in  a  very  natural  way.  Her  aunt  was 
shocked. 

"  Bless  me  !  lone  you  certainly  forget  that  you  are  in  a 
civilized  land,  and  think  you  are  in  San  Francisco." 

Cadet  Smith  bowed  low  to  lone,  and  said  in  his  most 
impressive  manner,  "  I  will  bless  her  forever,  if  she  will 
always  forget  that  she  is  here,  if  we  are  to  be  deprived  of 
hearing  that  musical  laugh  by  the  remembrance  that  she 
is  a  prisoner  too.  Please  laugh  when  you  are  with  me,  Miss 
lone.  Your  laugh  reminds  me  of  my  home,  and  my  own 
sweet  sisters." 

The  boy  spoke  with  so  much  emotion,  that  it  touched 
lone  deeply,  and  quite  subdued  Mrs.  Bobaline. 

Seeing  the  clouds  returning  to  lone's  face,  Cadet  Smith 
began  to  draw  upon  his  imagination  to  elicit  another 
laugh. 

"  Did  you  ever  hear  the  story  of  the  poor  '  Sep.'  ?  He 
had  heard  of  the  cadets  foraging  for  apples  and  grapes, 
and  not  knowing  about  the  fine  fruit  orchards  of  the 
Kinsley  place  below  us,  he  supposed  they  were  taken  from 
the  gardens  of  the  professors,  and  seeing  some  tempting 
apples  in  one  of  them,  crept  in  after  dark,  climbed  the 
tree  and  was  satisfying  himself  voraciously,  when  two 
young  ladies  came  out  to  walk  in  the  garden,  and  talk 
over  their  love  affairs.  They  had  walked  and  talked  some 
time,  when  they  cosily  put  their  arms  around  each  other, 
and  in  order  to  catch  step,  one  of  them  said  '  Hep  ! '  The 
poor  boy,  losing  all  presence  of  mind  at  the  dreadful  word, 
started,  let  go  his  hold, .and  put  his  "  little  finger  behind  the 
seam  of  his  pantaloons,"  and  of  course  fell,  in  a  very  un- 
graceful manner,  at  the  feet  of  the  young  ladies.  They  at 
first  gave  a  little  shriek,  but  after  a  moment's  reflection, 
knew  it  could  be  nothing  but  a  cadet,  that  would  come 
tumbling,  Ravel-like,  from  the  clouds,  and  threw  their 
shawls  and  rigolets  over  him.  By  the  time  the  family  came 
to  their  assistance,  he  was  a  prisoner  between  them.  On 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  57 

being  asked  the  cause  of  the  outcries,  one  of  them  said, 
'*  We  saw  two  stars  fall  from  heaven.'  The  old  professor 
being  a  scientific  man,  took  off  his  spectacles,  glanced  at 
the  clouds  and  said,  '  he  did  not  wonder  at  their  fright,  as 
it  was  a  very  remarkable  thing  for  to  see  falling  stars  when 
the  sky  was  not  to  be  seen  for  the  clouds.  It  was  proba- 
bly an  ignis  fatuus,  rising  from  the  low  grounds.'  '  No, 
indeed  !  '  she  cried,  '  it  did  not  rise,  it  fell ! '  Here  her 
sister  gave  a  scream  of  laughter,  and  the  poor  fellow, 
alarmed  lest  they  should  betray  him,  broke  from  them, 
throwing  shawls  and  caps  in  every  direction." 

lone  shrieked  with  hysterical  laughter,  and  Mrs.  Boba- 
line  could  not  control  her  own  sweet  voice  from  forming  a 
fine  alto.  Cadet  Smith  clapped  his  hands  with  glee  at  his 
triumph  ;  when  seeing  Lieutenant  Mera  approaching  them 
from  an  opposite  direction,  he  cried  "  Keep  dressed  !  " 
here  comes  a  blue-coat,  and  I  must  decamp !  au  revoir  ! ' ' 
and  lifting  his  cap  very  gracefully  walked  away. 

lone  really  sorry  to  lose  the  gay  youth,  returned  Lieu- 
tenant Mera's  salute  very  gravely. 

He  had  heard  her  musical  laugh,  and  seeing  her  height- 
ening color,  and  her  beaming  eye,  it  occurred  to  him,  that 
she  was  very  lovely,  and  he  said  archly,  "  Ladies  I  have 
fallen  very  deeply  in  love  with  a  lady  I  just  met !  " 

The  look  of  undisguised  admiration  he  gave  lone,  be- 
trayed his  meaning  to  Mrs.  Bobaline,  but  the  young  lady 
not  feeling  particularly  interested  in  the  announcement, 
had  turned  a  look  of  regret  after  the  retreating  cadet,  the 
wicked  smile  the  elder  lady  gave,  brought  the  gentleman 
to  her  side.  "  Most  beautiful  and  womanly  of  your  sex, 
how  are  you  to-day  ?  " 

"  Lieutenant  Mera,  I  always  feel  like  calling  for  an  ex- 
planation, when  you  address  me  ! "  She  said  spirited- 

iy." 

"  Ah,  my  lady  ?  that  would  be  very  cruel  to  your  cap- 
tive !  " 

She  stepped  beyond  lone,  leaving  her  next  Lieutenant 
Mera. 

3» 


58  Tactics;  or, 

"  What  are  you  thinking  about,  Miss  lone  ?  " 

"  I  ?  —  I  was  just  wishing  I  was  over  at  yonder  pretty 
cottage,  feeding  chickens." 

"  O,  lone  !  you  are  incorrigible  !" 

"  And  I  wish  I  were  with  you  !  which  cottage  will  you 
have  ?  you  can  have  any  one  you  prefer."  Said  Lieuten- 
ant Mera  rubbing  his  hands. 

"  I'll  have  the  one  near  the  wood,  for  I  love  the  woods." 

"  lone  !  one  might  know  that  you  were  brought  up  in 
the  wilderness,  without,  trumpeting  it  forth  on  all  occa- 
sions," sneered  Mrs.  Bobaline. 

"  I  wish  I  had  been.  I  have  always  longed  for  the 
woods  like  a  young  squaw,  but  have  dwelt  in  cities,  as  Miss 
Barrett  says,  "  The  blue  sky  covering  me  like  God's  great 
pity  !  " 

"  And  I,"  joined  in  Lieutenant  Mera,  "  always  think  of 
Holmes'  poor  drudge  of  the  city  ! 

How  happy  he  feels, 
With  burrs  on  his  legs, 
And  the  grass  at  his  heels  !  " 


"LESSON  SIXTH. 
"  Bayonet  Exercises" 

They  reached  a  turn  in  the  walk,  and  Mrs.  Bobaline 
took  a  diverging  path ;  lone  did  not  see  her  and  walked 
on.  Lieutenant  Mera  stopped  on  the  bank  above  the 
"•  Dade  monument,"  and  sighing  heavily  said,  "  How  stern 
is  the  lot  of  man  ;  to  plod  the  unbroken  wilderness,  bear- 
ing the  heavy  burden  of  life ;  breasting  its  dark  waves ; 
each  for  himself,  alone  !  " 

"  But   the  reward  !  Glory,  honor,  undying  fame  !  — 

"  I  would  spend  my  every  breath, 
To  live  by  fame  forever,  after  death  !  " 

said  lone  enthusiastically. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  59 

He  curled  his  lip,  saying  bitterly,  "  Honor  !  the  huzzas 
of  the  stupid  multitude  whose  voices  when  you  are  unfor- 
tunate, are  a  thousand  times  more  clamorous  to  crucify, 
than  they  were  when  your  sun  shone  in  splendor,  to  deity 
you  !  And  devotion  !  The  simpering  of  some  lovely  belle 
before  the  cold  slab,  *  How  beautiful  that  marble  wreath 
is  ! '  " 

Mrs.  Bobaline  had  joined  them  unperceived. 

"  Nonsense,  Lieutenant  Mera  !  don't  give  us  the  blues, 
because  you  have  them,  it  is  unmanly." 

His  dark  eyes  glowed  like  coals  of  living  fire ;  she  had 
snapped  the  last  link  that  bound  him  to  a  vain,  spiteful  wo- 
man. 

"  Miss  lone,  I  beg  you  will  pardon  me,  if  I  have  given 
you  pain,  but  'tis  true  as  gospel !  Content  yourself  to  be 
a  belle,  and  slay  with  the  rest  of  the  destroyers !  " 

Madam  walked  away.  lone  stood  a  little  above  him  on 
the  bank,  subdued  by  the  picture  of  the  lot  assigned  to 
man  by  the  stern  soldier,  her  eyes  filled  with  tears  ;  she 
laid  her  hand  softly  on  his  arm,  "  Caius  Marius,  take  me 
down  to  see  the  monument  if  you  please.  Tuckerman 
says  '  sepulchral  monuments  address  the  feelings  both  of 
love  and  pride,  which  bind  generations  of  heroes  togeth- 
er." 

Lieutenant  Mera  took  her  hand,  and  helped  her  down 
the  bank,  and  while  she  was  reading  the  inscription,  his 
eyes  were  fixed  upon  her  with  a  cold  scrutiny  ;  but  when 
she  finished,  and  turned  away  her  head  to  hide  the  large 
tear  that  hung  on  her  dark  lashes,  he  took  her  hand,  and 
drew  it  kindly  in  his  arm.  "By  heaven,  Miss  lone,  I  have 
given  you  pain  !  and  it  is  as  Mrs.  Bobaline  says,  unmanly 
of  me  !  What  do  you  think  of  me  ?  " 

"  What  do  I  think  of  you  just  now  ?  O  — just  now  — 
you  are  a  hero !  A  *  stern  herojc  figure,  self-sustained  and 
calm,  seated  in  meditation,  amid  prostrate  columns  which 
symbolize  his  fallen  fortunes,  and  an  outward  solitude 
which  reflects  the  desolation  of  his  exile,'  as  Tuckerman 
so  grandly  says  of  Vanderlyn's  Marius." 


60  Tactics ;  or, 

"  Fallen  fortunes,  and  exile  ! "  repeated  he  as  if  in  a 
dream.  "  How  truthful  the  picture." 

They  walked  slowly,  he  stopped  lest  they  should  over- 
take Mrs.  Bobaline  who  was  lingering  for  lone.  "  And 
you,  Miss  lone  !  Permit  me  to  quote  your  favorite  Tuck- 
erman  also.  His  Ariadne,  an  ideal  of  female  beauty,  '  re- 
posing upon  the  luxury  of  its  own  sensations,  and  yielding 
with  childlike  abandonment  to  dreams  of  love,  how  like  a 
vision  of  pure  love  she  seems.'  ' 

u  Lieutenant  Mera,  pray  do  not  punish  me  so  severely  ! 
I  quoted,  because  what  you  said,  and  your  state  of  mind 
brought  the  picture,  and  the  description,  powerfully  to 
mind." 

"  Indeed,  indeed,  Miss  lone,  I  was  as  powerfully  struck 
with  the  resemblance  to  which  I  allude,  the  portrait  is  per- 
fect." 

Mrs.  Bobaline  beckoned  to  lone,  and  Lieutenant  Mera 
deliberately  took  her  hand  from  his  arm,  held  it  a  moment, 
raised  his  cap,  and  vanished  down  the  bank  toward  the 
river. 

lone  joined  Mrs.  Bobaline,  whose  burning  cheek  fore- 
told a  storm,  "  I  am  vexed  beyond  endurance  that  I  came 
out  to-day.  When  a  man  runs  on  as  Lieutenant  Mera 
did  to-day,  he  must  be  intoxicated.  I  declare  it  is  insuffer- 
able !  "  She  was  ready  to  cry.  lone  prudently  fore  bore 
to  reply. 

PART   THIRD.       LESSON    SECOND. 

Marching  Backward 

A  voice  behind  them,  called,  "  Madam !  madam ! 
Please  do  not  be  my  death,  by  making  me  run  after  you 
this  way."  A  blush  of  pleasure  suffused  madam's  face, 
while  she  waited  for  him,  the  gallant  colonel  being  the 
pursuer. 

lone  moved  slowly  forward,  afraid  to  give  her  aunt  an 
opportunity  of  taking  vengeance  on  her  by  giving  her  "  the 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  61 

cut  direct,"  as  she  had  done  a  few  evenings  before.  Her 
silvery  laugh  evinced  her  returning  self-control,  and  lone 
was  very  grateful  to  the  Colonel  for  his  timely  appear- 
ance, and  powers  of  pleasing.  A  very  polite  little  skir- 
mish seemed  to  be  progressing  between  them,  but  lone  did 
not  turn  her  head,  so  did  not  see  it  was  about  a  handker- 
chief she  had  dropped.  She  ascended  the  steps  of  the  hotel, 
but  not  daring  to  enter  lest  she  should  offend  the  capri- 
cious lady,  her  aunt,  she  looked  with  the  deepest  interest 
toward  the  river,  sweeping  the  plain  with  her  eyes  for 
Cains  Marius,  but  he  was  nowhere  to  be  seen. 

The  Colonel  assisting  Mrs.  Bobaline,  ran  gaily  up  the 
steps  like  a  boy  of  fifteen,  left  her,  and  approached  lone. 
With  a  bold  stare  of  admiration,  he  presented  her  a  hand- 
kerchief, saying,  "  I  never  in  my  life  did  hear  of  chal- 
lenge urged  more  modestly  !•" 

lone's  face  became  scarlet,  she  looked  at  the  dainty  ar- 
ticle, held  by  the  extreme  corner,  between  his  thumb  and 
finger,  —  to  her  own  hands  and  pocket,  —  then  to  her  aunt, 
Avhose  face  was  beaming  with  wickedness,  she  cast  down 
her  eyes,  pained  to  a  degree,  took  the  handkerchief,  cour- 
tesied  very  haughtily,  entered  the  hotel,  and  her  own 
room,  and  gave  vent  to  her  deep  humiliation  in  a  flood  of 
tears. 

After  a  "splendid  time,"  with  the  gallant  Colonel,  Mrs. 
Bobaline  went  into  the  parlor,  sat  down  to  the  piano, 
played  and  sang  with  her  usual  —  not  self-forgetfulness, 
but  forgetfulness  of  everything  but  self.  The  Colonel 
said  she  must  come  out  to  parade.  Well,  where  was  lone  ? 

"  LESSON    THIRD." 

"  Tlie  March  by  the  Flank." 

Mrs.  Bobaline  went  to  lone's  .door.  "  lone,  I  am  going 
to  parade,  come  !  "  lone  did  not  answer.  Madam  open- 
ed the*door.  "  lone,  you  have  spoiled  your  eyes,  and  are 
not  fit  to  be  seen  ;  and  I  want  to  go  to  parade.  Never 


62  Tactics;  or, 

mind,  I'll  disappoint  you,  when  you  are  wishing  for  some- 
thing." She  turned  to  go  away,  but  a  new  thought  seem- 
ed to  strike  her.  "  I'll  not  be  so  annoyed  ;  just  wash  your 
face  and  come  along.  If  you  do  not,  I'll  never  forgive 


you ! 


"  FACE.       FORWARD.       MARCH.' 


lone  rose,  bathed  her  red  eyes  and  nose,  the  nose  had 
the  vote  this  time,  and  shewed  its  triumph,  by  looking  like 
an  English  ensign.  To  parade  they  went.  A  group  of 
officers  hovered  near,  among  whom  she  saw  Lieutenants 
Mera  and  Saberin.  Her  aunt's  discomforture  was  com- 
plete, for  after  walking  across  the  plain  like  a  servant,  un- 
escorted, the  Colonel  had  a  party  of  ladies  there,  from 
Cozzens,  and  did  not  even  come  to  speak  to  her,aud  had  not 
the  "  odious  "  Lieutenant  Burlyton  joined  them,  she  would 
have  had  to  leave  the  seats  unattended.  But  she  lisped 
her  sweetest  phrases  in  gratitude  for  his  attention.  lone 
thought  "  sleek  flattery  and  she,  are  twin-born  sisters." 
Her  arts  were  lost  on  the  sturdy  soldier,  who  paid  little 
heed  to  them,  but  made  the  most  of  his  time  with  "  little 
one,"  as  he  called  lone,  and  had,  as  he  reported  in  bar- 
racks, "  A  perfect  hocus-pocus  time,  with  Mrs.  Bobaline," 
spending  the  entire  evening,  much  to  that  fine  lady's  cha- 
grin. It  never  occurred  to  the  matter-of-fact  Lieutenant 
that  an  officer  of  the  U.  S.  A.  could  be  anything  else  than 
captivating  to  a  woman.  He  told  lone  what  the  color  of 
her  eyes  were,  the  quality  of  her  hair,  the  imperfections 
of  her  complexion,  the  shape  of  her  head,  etc.,  quite  in  a 
friendly  way.  After  he  was  gone,  Mrs.  Bobaline  sat  and 
gave  vent  to  her  mortification  by  explaining  to  lone,  causes 
and  their  effects.  "  The  officers  all  court  wealth,  you  see, 
from  the  Colonel  down  to  the  cadet  captain  ;  girls  need  not 
come  here,  looking  for  attention,  who  have  not  splendid 
homes  to  invite  them  to,  or  a  grand  party  to  accompany 
them.  That  reminds  me  ;  Lieutenant  Mera  asked  how 
you  came  from  San  Francisco.  I  did  not  know,  and  was 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  63 

ashamed  to  say  you  travelled  unattended,  so  I  said  you 
came  on  with  a  party.  How  did  you  get  here  ?  " 

"  As  you  say,  with  a  party, —  Senator  Dasher's  family  — 
on  their  way  to  Washington.  He  put  me  on  the  cars  at 
New  York,  under  the  care  of  Governor  Morgan,  to  this 
station  over  the  river." 

"  Is  it  possible  ?  " 

"  Yes  ma'am,"  replied  lone  quietly. 

"  Well  do  bring  it  in,  in  some  way,  and  tell  Lieutenant 
Mera ;  I  have  been  annoved  to  death  by  questions  about 
you." 

"  I  cannot  see  why  people  should  interest  themselves 
about  me,  I  never  ask  who  they  are,  and  shall  certainly 
not  take  the  pains  to  tell  Lieutenant  Mera  anything  about 
it ;  why  should  I  ?  he  is  nothing  to  me." 

"  Yes,  but  we  owe  something  to  society  ;  we  must  all 
give  a  quid  pro  quo,  for  what  we  receive  ;  if  you  pretend 
to  be  white,  you  must  substantiate  your  claims  to  the  con- 
siderations of  society." 

.Tone's  spirit  was  fast  getting  roused  ;  hunted  like  a  hare 
out  of  all  her  pretty  resources,  reading,  walking,  and  mu- 
sic, which  had  always  made  her  feel  independent  of  the 
whims  and  caprices  of  those  around  her,  she  began  to 
view  life  as  a  battle  field,  in  which  it  was  every  one  for 
himself.  "  I  came  to  see  you,  and  uncle,  and  have  a 
pleasant  little  visit,  and  can  be  very  happy  seeing  all  these 
gay  sights,  hearing  this  delicious  music,  and  walking 
through  these  enchanting  scenes.  I  don't  see  why  any  one 
with  the  senses  God  has  bestowed  upon  most  of  the  hu- 
man family,  should  not  be  happy,  perfectly  happy  !  " 

"  Don't  talk  like  a  fool,  lone  !  When  you  are  with  me, 
I  do  not  care  to  fall  into  the  shade,  or  be  dragged  into  in- 
visibility, by  having  those  around  me  of  such  poor  aims, 
and  no  ambition  !  " 

"I  view  life  in  a  different  light :  I  cannot  see  the  neces- 
sity of  making  myself  wretched,  because  Lieutenant  Mera 
minds  his  own  aft'airs,  at  least  a  part  of  his  time.  I  sup- 
pose they  are  not  gentlemen  at  their  leisure  ;  each  one 


64  Tactics;  or, 

seems  to  have  his  imperative  duties  to  attend  to,  and  when 
at  liberty,  why  should  they  be  obliged  to  rush  for  me,  or  I 
be  blue,  and  feel  slighted,  because  they  walk  with,  or  talk 
to  another  lady  ?  " 

"  lone,  you  are  too  much  !  You  view  life  !  When 
your  mother  sent  you  here,  away  from  home,  I  warrant 
you  she  had  an  object,  and  a  very  important  one,  that  is, 
to  get  you  settled  in  life.  It  is  natural  to  suppose  so.  A 
poor  widow's  daughter  should  try  to  do  what  she  can  for 
herself."  She  looked  at  lone  out  of  the  corner  of  her 
eye,  and  saw  a  very  perceptible  curl  on  her  lip.  "  To  be 
sure,  you  might  do  better  in  San  Francisco  than  here,  and 

"  And,  as  you  say,  the  officers  are  like  sleep  — 
'  And  ready  yisits  pay,  where  fortune  smiles '  — 

"  —  Let  me,  a  poor  widow's  daughter,  be  grateful  for 
the  crumbs  of  flattery,  and  smiles,  that  fall  from  these 
fortunate  belles'  table." 

Mrs.  Bobaline  out  of  temper  and  patience,  could  give  no 
more  advice  to  one  on  whom  the  valuable  commodity  was 
only  thrown  away.  She  retired  to  her  room  without 
deigning  to  say  good-night. 

lone  went  to  her  prayers,  and  was  very  penitent  that 
she  had  vexed  her  aunt,  and  promised  to  be  more  dutiful 
in  the  future. 

"  LESSON  FOURTH." 

"  Wheeling-  and  Turning  in  Double  Quick  Time" 

(Lieutenants  Saberin  and  Mera  conversing  on  the  piaz- 
za of  the  hotel.) 

Lieutenant  Saberin.  "  You  call  that  Miss  Smith  so 
artless  !  She  was  going  to  walk  with  her  Cadet  Smith,  the 
other  evening,  they  went  off  the  piazza,  when  she  looked 
back  and  saw  me,  and  immediately  returned,  and  went  up 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  65 

to  the  parlor-window  and  called  to  Miss  Dora  Bellamy, '  I 
hope  you  are  not  to  stay  here  alone,  come  with  us  ?  '  but 
kept  glancing  at  me,  while  she  was  talking,  and  her  eye 
was  more  eloquent  than  her  tongue,  but  I  stood  fire  like  a 
statue,  and  did  not  take  the  hint.  I  thought,  my  little  la- 
dy, I'll  foil  you  for  once.  Dora  went  with  her,  who  by 
the  way,  I  consider  much  the  prettiest  of  the  two,  —  Miss 
Smith  turned  her  head  twice,  as  much  as  to  say,  Can 
you  resist  ? 

Lieutenant  Mera  asked  slily,  why  he  did  not  go  with 
her,  as  he  did  not  doubt  she  had  a  message  from  Madam, 
for  him,  adding,  "  you  conceited  fop,  she  is  as  far  from  being 
a  flirt  as  a  fool,  which  you  are  trying  to  make  her  out;  be- 
sides, she  does  not  admire  you  at  all,  she  told  me,  you  al- 
ways reminded  her  of  a  bachelor  friend,  who,  reveled  the 
majority  of  his  time  in  the  sulks,  and  in  those  moods  flew 
into  a  vehicle,  which  he  called  in  an  eminently  proper 
manner  a  '  sulky, '  which  he  nearly  lived  in." 

Lieutenant  Saberin  was  not  flattered,  and  said  he  did 
not  see  the  application. 

"  Never  mind  the  application  ;  "  said  Lieutenant  Mera, 
delighted  to  have  vexed  him,  for  his  conceit.  They  arose 
and  walked.  Presently  they  met  Miss  Smith  and  Lieu- 
tenant Burly  ton  ;  truly  enough,  lone  looked  wistfully  at 
Lieutenant  Saberin.  Lieutenant  Mera  was  profoundly 
puzzled.  He  had  thought  her  too  modest  and  sensible  to 
show  such  public  admiration  for  any  man  ;  could  she  have 
taken  it  into  her  head  to  try  to  attract  that  unsocial  and 
aristocratic  fellow  by  this  folly  ?  This  was  simply  absurd, 
no,  there  was  something  going  on  under  this  pretty  panto- 
mime. He  tried  in  vain  to  convince  Lieutenant  Saberin 
of  this,  who  thought  Lieutenant  Mera  jealous,  told  him  he 
need  have  no  fears,  he  could  not  condescend  to  rival  him. 
Lieutenant  Mera  was  offended,  they  parted,  Lieutenant 
Saberin  taking  refuge  in  the  impugnable  sulks. 


66  Tactics  5  or, 


PART  SECOND. 

"  LESSON  SECOND." 

"  Ready.     Aim.    Fire" 

Lieutenant  Mera  entered  the  parlor,  one  day  after  din- 
ner, and  found  Mrs.  Bobaline  and  lone  seated  with  Lieu- 
tenant Burlyton,  and  a  lady  —  a  new  arrival — a  Mrs.  Mor- 
dant Maryglot.  English  by  birth,  and  a  great  traveller, 
she  was  a  George  Sands  in  propria  persona.  tfc  Bless  you  I 
had  seen  all  the  world !  "  A  lover  of  the  fine  arts 
a  great  worshipper  of  glorious  queen  Bess  !  They  all 
seemed  insane  with  mirth.  He  drew  a  paper  from  his 
pocket,  and  sat  down  to  listen,  and  for  a  time,  thought  the 
two  ladies  destitute  of  soul  and  sentiment,  and  was  rapidly 
losing  faith  in  their  truth  and  humanity,  so  much  did 
they  appear  to  enjoy  the  quizzing  Mrs.  Maryglot  was  un- 
dergoing from  Lieutenant  Burlyton. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  laughing  gaily  at  some  lively  sally  from 
the  witty  stranger,  called  to  Lieutenant  Mera  to  sit  up 
and  join  the  party  ;  but  he,  rather  offended  than  flattered, 
politely  declined. 

Mrs.  Maryglot  looked  slighted,  and  remarked  in  a  low 
voice  to  lone,  "  Poenus  est,"  "  he  is  a  Carthagenian  !  " 

Lieutenant  Burlyton  glanced  at  Mrs.  Bobaline,  and  re- 
plied "  Oh,  you  must  speak  in  his  own  tongue  to  him  ! 
You  recollect  Charles  V.  used  to  say,  '  you  must  speak 
Spanish  to  the  gods,  Italian  to  the  ladies,  French  to  gentle- 
men, German  to  soldiers,  English  to  geese,  Hungarian  to  he- 
roes, and  Bohemian  to  the  devil !  '  " 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  67 

"  Dear  me  !  "  said  the  learned  lady,  "  and  which  am  I 
to  speak  to  your  friend,  Bohemian  ?  " 

Lieutenant  Mera  rose  and  walked  away  in  high  dudgeon, 
followed  by  peals  of  laughter,  just  catching  Mrs.  Mary- 
glot's  pleasant  remark,  that  she  should  have  taken  him  for 
a  Boeotian.  She  then  fell  upon  Charles  V.  with  true 
English  vigor,  "  confounding  him  for  his  impudence,  —  au 
illustrious  Bob  Acres,  milksop,  whiteliver,  nidget  &c."  re- 
venging the  insult  to  her  che'rissable  mother-tongue. 

Lieutenant  Mera  avoided  the  terrible  party  of  humor- 
ists for  some  time,  and  returned  to  his  strolls  with  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin.  They  often  saw  lone  with  cadets,  her 
aunt  or  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  she  always  looked  at  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin  till  Lieutenant  Mera  was  forced  to  yield 
that  she  was  making  a  fool  of  herself  about  his  friend.  A 
fine  development  of  such  a  character  as  he  had  conceived 
Miss  lone  Smith  to  be  !  So  beautifully  consistent  as  she 
had  been  in  nearly  all  the  phases  of  her  nature.  "  She 
is  a  woman,  and  that  is  enough  to  account  for  her  imper- 
fections, how  could  she  be  faultless?  '' 


"  Charge  —  Sabre —  Bayonet" 

Four  o'clock  had  already  passed,  and  Cadet  White  had 
not  come.  Lieutenant  Burlyton  passed  and  repassed  lone 
on  the  piazza,  as  she  sat  waiting  for  him  ;  at  length  stop- 
ping and  bowing  before  her  with  his  coat-skirts  spread  out 
repeated  like  a  school-boy,  " '  Oft  expectation  fails,  and 
most  oft  there  when  most  it  promises  ;  and  oft  it  hits 
where  hope  is  coldest,  and  despair  most  sits !  '  why  comes 
not  your  tardy  cavalier,  fair  lady  ?  " 

Taking  refuge  in  one  of  Viola's  pretty  caprices,  she  did 
not  answer  him,  but  rose,  went  directly  through  the  hall, 
and  ran  down  the  path  to  the  river-side.  Loitering  along 
dreamily,  she  entered  a  tempting  spot,  shaded  so  lovingly, 
that  the  sun's  rays  wer,e  completely  excluded.  She  stepped 
from  rock  to  rock,  and  seated  herself  quite  among  the  tops 


68  Tactics;  or, 

of  the  evergreens  growing  on  the  crags  beneath  her. 
Here  she  sat  perfectly  enchanted  by  the  delicious,  quiet 
beauty  of  the  scene,  and  purity  and  balminess  of  the  air  ! 
So  rapt  was  she,  that  she  forgot  her  own  existence  for  a 
long  time,  but  the  fact  that  there  was  a  Miss  lone  Smith, 
was  forced  upon  her  when,  "  with  wild  surprise  she  stood  " 
and  listened,  most  unwillingly,  to  the  conversation  of  two 
gentlemen  on  a  path  below  her.  She  could  not  see  them, 
but  as  they  addressed  each  other  by  name,  she  discovered 
that  they  were  Lieutenants  Mera  and  Saberin. 

"  O  Saberin,  I  succumb,  the  old  witch  certainly  was 
right !  I  am  a  Boeotian  !  I  never  was  so  deceived  in  a  girl !  " 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  Love  is  a  celestial  humbug  !  "  laughed 
Lieutenant  Saberin.  "  Faith,  I  am  sorry  for  the  little 
thing,  but  I  am  to  be  gone  so  soon,  and  then  she'll  fall 
back  on  her  cadets  !  She's  ambitious,  Mera  !  she's  ambi- 
tious ! " 

"  Bah  !  "  was  Lieutenant  Hera's  reply.  lone  wished 
for  wings,  but  had  not  got  hers  yet,  poor  girl ! 

Lieutenant  Saberin  sang 

'•  Cupid  is  a  knavish  lad, 
Thus  to  make  poor  females  mad  !  " 

Lieutenant  Mera  said  "  bah  !  " 

Lieutenant  Saberin  laughed.  "  O,  gentle  Protheus, 
Love's  a  mighty  lord  !  " 

Lieutenant  Mera  turned  fiercely,  "  What  do  you  mean  ; 
that  I  am  in  love  with  Miss  Smith  ?  "  His  friend  did  not 
answer,  and  when  Lieutenant  Mera  spoke  again,  his  voice 
was  husky  with  rage.  "  Saberin,  you  are  a  puppy  ! " 

"  Go  wretch  !  and  give  a  life  like  thine  to  other  wretches 
—  live  !  "  shouted  Lieutenant  Saberin  in  mock  tragedy,  — 
their  voices  mingled  in  a  boisterous,  heartless  laugh,  and 
they  moved  on.  lone  was  petrified.  She  had  not  the  pow- 
er to  move.  She  gradually  recovered  from  the  shock,  but 
had  undergone  a  metempsychosis ;  she  found  herself  seated 
on  her  bedside  in  her  own  room,  marvelling  at  the  extraor- 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  69 

dinary  chance  that  should  have  led  her  to  that  spot,  the  first 
time  she  had  ventured  forth  alone. 

She  sat  still  till  her  aunt  came,  having  searched  the 
house  for  her.  "  Why  lone,  you  look  as  if  you  had  seen 
a  vision  !  where  have  you  been  child  ?  "  Mrs.  Bobaline 
exclaimed  in  unfeigned  anxiety. 

"  Only  a  stroll  down  the  bank  ;  and  have  tired  myself 
out !  "  she  replied  petulantly. 

"  Well,  arrange  your  hair  for  tea,  as  I  am  going  down  !  " 
She  found  her  aunt  talking  with  Lieutenants  Mera  and 
Saberin  in  the  hall,  and  sweeping  past  them  with  the 
erect  head  of  one  who  was  perfectly  aware  that  she  was 
misunderstood,  and  maltreated  generally,  she  entered  the 
tea-room  alone. 

After  she  passed,  Lieutenant  Mera  said,  "  what's  up  ?  " 

Mrs.  Bobaline  smiled,  and  replied  "  she  did  not  know 
unless  lone  was  in  love  !  She  had  been  wandering  away 
down  '  flirtation  walk,'  alone  for  hours,  that  afternoon." 

The  friends  glanced  at  each  other.  They  went  in  with 
Madam  and  sat  by  her.  lone  however  never  raised  her 
eyes,  and  answered  a  question  Lieutenant  Mera  put  to  her, 
in  such  a  way  that  they  saw  she  meant  to  be  uncivil,  and 
they  became  in  consequence  very  polite  to  Mrs.  Bobaline. 
lone  left  them  at  the  table,  and  went  into  the  parlor, 
where  a  lady  was  singing,  and  as  the  sweet  notes  stole 
through  the  hous"e,  the  two  young  men  heard  it,  and  both 
being  fond  of  music  entered  the  parlor  together,  the  first 
time  since  lone  came.  The  sweet  singer  left  the  piano, 
and  Lieutenant  Saberin  to  amuse  himself  with  the  "  love- 
sick damsel,"  advanced  to  her  with  his  most  fascinating 
bow,  and  asked  her  to  favor  him  with  a  song. 

lone  simple  and  natural  as  a  child,  said  she  knew  only 
one  or  two  old  songs,  and  that  she  feared  to  sing  after  the 
lady  who  had  just  sung. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  loved  old  songs  and  home-singing 
best,  and  led  her  to  the  piano.  She  was  frightened,  but 
this  only  lent  a  tender  tremulousness  to  her  naturally 
fine  voice.  She  sang  the  old  song  : 


70  Tactics;  or, 

"  Oh,  no,  it  never  crossed  my  heart, 

To  thiuk  of  thee  with  love, 
For  we  are  severed  far  apart, 
As  earth,  and  arch  above  ! 
And  though  in  many  a  midnight  dream, 

You've  prompted  fancy's  brightest  theme  ; 
I  never  thought  that  thcu  couid'st  be, 
More  than  a  midnight  dream  to  me  !  " 

"  A  something  bright  and  beautiful, 

Which  I  must  teach  me  to  forget 
E'er  I  can  turn  to  meet  the  dull 

Realities  that  linger  yet  ! 
A  something  girt  with  summer  flowers, 

And  sunny  smiles,  and  laughing  hours  ; 
While  I,  too  well  I  know  would  be 

Nut  e'en  a  midnight  dream  to  thee  !  " 

As  she  rose  from  the  piano,  Lieutenant  Saberin,  really 
penetrated,  offered  her  his  arm,  and  led  her  to  the  piazza. 

She  had  longed  for  this  opportunity,  and  abruptly  be- 
gan, "Lieutenant  Saberin,  you  lost  a  letter,  some  time 


Startled  out  of  his  sentimentality,  he  replied,  "  Yes  !  " 

"  I  found  it,  and  have  been  very  impatient  to  return  it," 
lone  went  on  rapidly,  lest  he  should  interrupt  her. 

"  Impatient  !  could  you  not  have  given  it  me  at  first?  " 
It  is  sometime  since  I  lost  it."  And  genuine  surprise 
made  the  tones  of  his  voice  imperious,  and  harsh,  and  lone 
quaked  like  a  culprit  before  her  judge,  when  she  supposed 
she  had  acted  a  Solon's  part  and  would  be  completely  at 
her  ease. 

"  Yes,"  She  faltered,  "  but  now  —  now  that  you  have 
it  in  safety  —  and  I  have  tried  to  act  for  the  best,  is  not 
that  enough  ?  " 

"  This  is  very  strange  !  "  replied  Lieutenant  Saberin. 
"  Where  did  you  find  it  ?  When  did  you  find  it  ?  " 

lone  evaded  the  first  question,  but  replied  to  the  sec- 
ond, "  Perhaps  not  ten  minutes  after  you  lost  it  !  " 

"  Where  ?  ''  demanded  Lieutenant  Saberin. 

"  Naar  where  you  lost  it,  I  suppose  !  "    she  said  timid- 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  71 

"  Miss  Smith,  you  are  evading  my  question  !  I  don't 
know  where  I  lost  it !  " 

"  Did  you  not  drop  it  on  the  piazza  ?  " 

"  Did  I  ?  "  said  he  impatiently. 

"  I  suppose  so ;  but  now  that  you  hare  it,  is  not  that 
enough  ?  " 

"  Did  you  know  that  it  was  mine  ?  " 

"  No  indeed,  Lieutenant  Saberin  !  " 

"  Your  aunt  knew  it !  ;' 

"  Yes,  but  slie  did  not  speak  to  me  of  it." 

"  This  is  very  unaccountable  !  Strange  that  your  aunt 
did  not  find  it,  I  left  her  there  !  " 

"  I  told  you  I  found  it,"  she  replied  really  distressed. 
"  I  don't  know  that  my  aunt  even  saw  it.  I  will  leave 
you  a  moment  and  bring  it  you."  And  she  vanished  into 
the  hall. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  was  confounded,  and  quite  incapaci- 
tated for  his  adroit  plan  of  cross-examination,  which  poor 
lone  would  certainly  have  undergone  under  other  circum- 
stances. She  came  out  in  a  few  moments,  and  handed 
him  the  letter  and  was  retreating  precipitately,  when  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin  caught  her  sleeve.  "  Stay  !  "  She  invol- 
untarily stopped.  He  offered  her  his  arm,  saying,  "  I 
must  know  more  about  this  !  "  lone  tried  to  draw  her 
hand  from  his  arm,  he  would  not  let  her  go,  but  said  slow- 
ly and  deliberately,  "  Is  there  any  mystery  about  the 
finding  and  detaining  of  my  letter  from  me,  all  this 
time  ?  " 

lone  felt  that  she  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  an  inquis- 
itor-general, but  her  pride  came  to  her  aid,  and  she  told 
him  that  on  the  morning  he  lost  it,  she  had  a  pleasant  book 
to  read,  that  she  went  from  the  table  before  Viola,  to  en- 
joy it  awhile,  in  the  parlor,  alone.  She  did  not  know  her 
aunt  was  on  the  piazza,  till  she  heard  the  gentlemen  ad- 
dress her,  she  felt  no  necessity  for  retiring,  but  sat  absorbed 
in  her  book,  till  she  was  startled  by  a  smart  blow  in  her 
face,  and  a  letter  fell  on  the  floor.  She  sprang  up  and 
looked  out  of  the  window,  saw  no  one  and  supposed  at 


72  Tactics ;  or, 

once,  some  person  had  passed  and  thrown  her  a  letter. 
She  thought  of  her  cadet  friends,  up  at  the  hotel  without  a 
"  permit ;"  she  ran  up  stairs  without  looking  at  the  address, 
when  about  to  open  it  she  turned  it,  and  saw  it  was  not 
for  her.  She  was  just  going  to  tell  Viola  about  the  sin- 
gular circumstances,  when  her  aunt  rushed  past  her  and 
shut  her  door  violently.  "  I  thought  she  was  ill,"  she  con- 
tinued, "  and  as  she  likes  to  be  alone  when  she  does  not 
feel  well,  I  went  to  my  room,  and  concluded  to  keep  my 
own  counsel  till  I  heard  something  more  about  it,  and  if 
possible  restore  it  to  the  loser.  A  good  while  after,  Vio- 
letta  said  to  me,  '  I  would  give  anything  to  know  what 
became  of  that  letter.'  I  replied,  what  letter?  She 
looked  surprised,  and  said  '  Lieutenant  Saberin  has  lost 
a  letter  and  every  one  in  the  house  has  been  looking  for 
it,  have  you  heard  nothing  of  it?"  I  said  I  had  not 
heard  a  word  about  it.  And  ever  since  I  have  been  try- 
ing to  give  it  to  you  unseen." 

"  But  why  unseen  ?  "  he  demanded. 

"  Lieutenant  Saberin,  please  do  not  ask  me  any  hiore 
question's,"  she  plead,  in  a  piteous  voice.  "  Only  don't 
mention  it  to  any  one,  now  that  you  have  the  letter  —  is 
not  that  enough  ?  " 

"  Not  at  all  I  the  letter  should  have  reached  its  destina- 
tion long  ago,  and  now  it  cannot  go  at  all !  "  he  grumbled 
in  a  petulant  tone.  "  I  don't  see  why  you  should  be  so 
very  careful  of  anything  belonging  to  me,  unless  you 
wished  to  place  me  under  obligations  to  you  !  " 

"  O,  no !  "  was  all  the  poor  girl  could  say,  and  tried 
again  to  disengage  her  hand. 

He  dared  not  let  her  go  offended,  it  was  no  part  of  the 
young  gentleman's  policy  to  offend  any  one,  and  certainly 
not  a  lady,  as  he  desired  to  be  a  general  favorite.  He 
changed  the  subject.  "  Now,  my  little  friend,  tell  mo 
where  you  have  been  this  afternoon  ?  "  lone  shuddered 
perceptibly,  which  determined  Lieutenant  Saberin  to 
satisfy  his  misgivings  on  this  subject.  "  You  are  very  in- 
trepid to  venture  forth  *alone  to  the  river-side  !  "  he  said 
in  his  sweetest  tones. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  73 

"  Who  told  you  I  was  alone  ?  " 

"  You  will  not  tell  me  anything  !  and  you  want  me  to 
tell  you  everything,"  said  he  playfully.  She  did  not  speak, 
he  added,  "  I  will  be  more  frank  than  you  ;  your  aunt 
told  me." 

lone  concluded  that  her  aunt  had  raised  the  house 
about  her,  and  said,  "  I  was  weary  of  waiting  for  a  friend, 
who  promised  to  take  me  down  to  the  river-side,  and  ran 
down  by  myself — and  —  " 

"And,  what  ?  "  said  he  eagerly. 

"  O,  I  profited  marvellously  by  my  adventurousness  — 
saw  the  world  in  quite  a  new  phase !  and  came  home  a 
wiser,  but  I  fear  a  less  charitable  person  than  I  could  wish 
myself." 

"  Should  such  an  ardent  young  lover  of  nature  be  un- 
charitable ?  "  he  asked. 

"  It  was  Avith  regard  to  human  nature,  that  the  band- 

O  • 

age  was  so  rudely  torn  from  my  eyes.  Inanimate  nature 
commands  our  love  and  admiration,  for  that  is  as  it  came 
from  the  hand  of  Divine  wisdom  !  " 

"  You  say  the  bandage  was  torn  from  your  eyes,  yet 
you  were  alone,"  exclaimed  he. 

"  Yes,  but  I  was  made  the  unwilling  listener  to  a  con- 
versation, painful  in  the  extreme,  between  two  gentlemen, 
respecting  myself." 

She  ceased  speaking,  and  Lieutenant  Saberin  was  for 
once  in  his  life  humbled  in  his  own  eyes  !  What  must 
this  young  girl  think  of  his  vanity  and  presumption  ?  She 
had  heard  him  say  that  she  was  ambitious,  in  falling  in 
love  with  him !  and  Heaven  only  knows  what  else,  for  his 
ideas  were  not  nearly  as  collected  as  they  generally  were, 
when  conversing  with  young  ladies,  neither  could  he  gather 
his  scattered  wits,  to  attempt  the  slightest  vindication  of  him- 
self. He  led  her  to  some  chairs  at  the  dark  end  of  the 
north  piazza,  and  said  quietly,  "  Sit  down,  Miss  Smith  ?  " 

lone  declined  very  haughtily,  and  turned  to  go  back  to 
the  parlor,  Lieutenant  Saberin  walked  at  her  side  to  the 
door.  A  fine  looking  young  man  sitting  near  the  door, 
4 


71  Tactics;  or, 

remarked  "  That  lias  been  a  tip  top  flirtation  !  "  He  luul 
been  watching  them  closely.  Lieutenant  Saberin  bowed 
low  at  the  parlor  door,  and  said,  "  Permit  me  to  see  you 
for  a  few  moments  to-morrow  at  any  hour!  " 

She  left  him  without  appointing  the  hour,  and  entered 
the  parlor.  The  flashing  eyes  of  her  aunt  terrified  her, 
and  she  went  to  her  own  room.  It  was  late  when  Viola 
came  up.  She  heard  with  great  surprise,  the  most  hyster- 
ical sobs  and  sighs  escaping  from  her  aunt's  room. 

"  Remarks." 

lone  sprang  from  her  couch,  with  a  vague  apprehension 
of  something  still  to  do  or  bear.  Ah  !  how  she  sighed 
for  her  sacred  quiet  home.  How  she  dreaded  to  meet  her 
aunt !  Why,  she  could  not  have  told.  Violetta  was 
very  beautiful,  exquisitely  so,  to  lone's  mind,  and  certainly 
she  was  so  to  others.  The  elegant  Colonel  always  gave 
her  one  of  his  grandest  bows,  and  often  called  on  her, 
though  lone  had  never  been  introduced  to  him.  Why 
should  her  gay,  witty,  lovely  aunt,  weep  ?  lone  thought 
if  any  one  in  the  world  had  cause  to  weep,  she  had.  Had 
she  not  tried  to  please  every  one  ?  Her  mother  told  her  to 
be  perfectly  unselfish,  and  then  she  would  forget  to  be 
homesick.  Had  she  pleased  anybody  ?  no,  she  had  suc- 
ceeded in  a  matchless  degree  in  arraying  every  one,  like 

.  •  O  .' 

so  many  antagonists,  against  her  diminutive  self!  What 
could  it  mean  ?  There  Avas  Lieutenant  Mera,  a  superb 
man,  that  God  had  made  "  on  purpose,"  to  protect  little 
defenceless  maidens  ;  he  met  her  with  a  grand  dignity  of 
manner,  that  would  have  frozen  the  blood  in  the  cheeks  of 
fifty  sachems.  What  had  she  done  to  him  ?  Then  there 
was  Lieutenant  Saberin,  to  whom  she  was  an  "  entire 
stranger,"  accusing  her  of  compassing  heaven  and  earth, 
to  make  him  fall  in  love  witli  her  !  Horrors  ! 

Cadet  Smith  too,  what  had  she  done  to  him  ?  Had  he 
not  made  "  ever  so  many,"  engagements  with  her,  and 
kept  none  of  them  ?  Yet  she  had  seen  him  lino-orino1  beside 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  75 

a  lovely  girl,  carrying  her  shawl  and  parasol  —  all  devo- 
tion to  her.  Here  she  nearly  screamed  aloud,  in  deep  sor- 
row for  herself,  and  imagined  she  was  broken-hearted  ! 
She  shook  her  head,  to  get  these  disagreeable  thoughts  out 
of  her  little  brair;  as  if  they  had  been  so  many  wasps, 
and  sat  down  to  write  to  her  mother.  "  Dear  mother ! ' 
But  she  had  taken  more  time  to  dress  and  dream,,  than  she 
thought. 

"  To  Mark  Time.     March." 

A  smart  rap  on  the  door  informed  lone  that  her  aunt 
was  in  the  flesh,  and  going  down  to  breakfast.  She  made 
haste,  and  joined  her  in  the  hall.  She  was  surrounded  by 
a  group  of  officers,  chatting  in  the  liveliest  mood  with 
them,  and  Mrs.  Maryglot.  They  all  turned  so  suddenly 
upon  her,  that  she  blushed  deeply. 

"  Charming.!  "  murmured  Lieutenant  Mora. 

"  The  blushing  beauties  of  a  modest  maiden  !  "  brayed 
Lieutenant  Burlyton,  "nay,  will  you  not  deign  me  one 
smile  ?  "  and  he  intercepted  her  way  to  the  dining  room. 

lone  laughed,  and  said  "  '  Think  not  thou,  no  smile  I 
can  bestow  upon  thee,  there  is  a  smile,  a  smile  of  nature 
too,  which  I  can  spare,  and  yet  perhaps,  thou  wilt  not  thank 
me  for't.'  ' 

Lieutenant  Burlyton  assumed  an  attitude  of  mock  hu- 
mility, and  responded,  "  '  Heaven  help  me  !  to  beg  of  thee 
dear  Violet !  some  of  thy  modesty  !  '  All  laughed, 
and  he  pointing  in  fine  tragic  style  to  the  dining-room 
door,  quoted  Miss  Barrett.  "  '  On  the  door  you  will  not 
enter  ;  I  have  gazed  too  long  —  adieu  ! '  "  and  left  them. 

Madam  Maryglot  followed  him  saying,  "  Partons  !  Je 
ne  vous  retiendrai  pas  plus  longtemps  !  " 

This  was  the  most  delightful  morning  lone  had  had 
since  her  arrival ;  everybody  seemed  in  their  best  humor, 
and  the  hour  was  one  of  unalloyed  pleasure.  The  officers 
left  them,  and  the  ladies  Averc  all  talking  and  laughing  at 
once,  when  the  colonel  entered. 


76  Tactics;  or, 

" 1st.  Forward.     2d.  March" 

The  colonel  took  a  seat  beside  Mrs.  Bobaline,  called  for 
a  cup  of  coffee,  and  whispered  to  her  to  introduce  him  to 
her  cousin.  Mrs.  Bobaline  spoke  to  lone,  and  introduced 
them. 

The  colonel  rose  with  his  cup  in  his  hand,  went  to  the 
other  side  of  the  table  where  lone  had  seated  herself,  and 
sat  down  beside  her.  She  looked  painfully  conscious  of 
having  robbed  her  aunt  of  her  finest  feather,  which  highly 
incensed  the  penetrating  lady,  for  she  read  quite  plainly, 
"Dear  Viola,  I  —  I  don't  want  the  Colonel  !"  Madam 
concealed  her  chagrin  behind  a  sprightly  mischievousm--. 
completely  disconcerting  the  poor  girl,  so  that  she  scarcely 
knew  what  she  was  saying. 

"  Fair  lady,"  began  the  colonel,  "  may  I  presume  on  a 
few  moments  of  your  precious  time,  since  all  the  fascina- 
ting younger  men  are  gone."' 

lone  looked  at  Viola,  a  blush  and  a  spasmodic  working 
of  the  mouth,  were  her  only  reply. 

"  Will  you  take  a  turn  in  the  carnage  with  me  this 
bright  morning  ?  " 

lone  dared  not  raise  her  eves,  but  answered,  "  I'll  a-k 
Viola." 

Mrs.  Bobaline  laughed  loudly.  "  Do  as  you  please,  lone, 
one  would  suppose  I  was  an  old  beldame,  keeping  watch 
and  ward  over  you  !  '' 

The  colonel  turned  his  eyes  from  Tone's  burning  face, 
in  pity,  —  bowed  in  the  most  courtly  manner  to  Mrs. 
Bobaline,  and  replied  for  lone,  "  Ah,  Madam  !  do  not 
such  injustice  to  yourself;  who  will  bear  the  bell  when  you 
think  it  not  worth  your  while  to  wear  it  ?  " 

"  We'll  have  it  put  on  the  cat,  to  frighten  the  old  rats 
away  !  "  sneered  Mrs.  Maryglot.  Mrs.'  Bobaline  laughed 
rudely.  The  colonel  was  not  easily  foiled ;  he  begged 
to  change  the  selfish  drive  into  an  excursion  across  the 
river,  to  visit  the  home  of  the  sweetest  of  our  poets, 
'The  Homer  of  America!'  nestled  so  lovingly  in  the 
bosom  of  the  grand  old  mountains." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  77 

"  O,  yes  !  let  us  make  up  a  party,"  cried  Mrs.  Boba- 
line  eagerly,  "  and  permit  me,  colonel,  to  make  out  a  list 
of  those  to  be  invited  ?  " 

"  Certainly  !  "  said  the  colonel,  "  if  you  will  include 
sweet  lone  and  I,"  and  he  folded  his  napkin  very  care- 
fully. Mrs.  Bobaline  curled  her  pretty  lip.  They  ad- 
journed to  the  piazza.  The  Colonel  lingered  beside  lone 
for  an  hour,  saying  many  flattering  things,  till  Mrs.  Boba- 
line descended  from  her  room,  with  the  list,  on  which  she 
had  written  Lieutenant  Saberin's  name  twice.  "  The 
party,"  she  said,  "  should  be  a  rechercher  affair  !  " 

"  Indeed  it  will  be,  if  you  have  two  Lieutenant  Saber- 
ins,'  "  laughed  the  Colonel. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  blushed  deeply,  and  drew  her  pencil 
across  the  name.  u  Now,  Mrs.  Maryglot,  you  must  leave 
your  quiver  at  home,  and  be  your  own  charming  self!" 
she  said. 

"  Diana  without  her  quiver  ?  "  asked  lone.  The  colonel 
declared  that  lone  was  Diana's  self,  and  she  needed  no 
other  arrows  than  her  eyes,  "  and  I  shall  be  your  beau." 

Mrs.  Viola  bade  him  not  spoil  lone  by  saying  those  silly 
things  to  her. 

"  My  dear  lady  !  "  said  the  colonel  demurely,  "  pray  do 
not  call  one  of  my  most  poetical  efforts  silly  !  " 

"  Poetical  ?  ah,  yes,  they  are  what  they  call  blank- 
verse,"  laughed  Mrs.  Bobaline. 

Airs.  Maryglot  came  on  the  field  armed  and  equipped  for 
the  excursion,  and  immediately  began  to  warn  lone  against 
her  new  admirer,  telling  her  she  would  find  the  officers 
and  military  men,  "  an  unco  squad,  an  muckle  they  will 
grieve  ye." 

Poor  lone  looked  really  alarmed,  as  her  own  experience 
corroborated  the  good  lady's  words.  Her  shrinking  ti- 
midity interested  the  colonel  very  much  ;  he  drew  her  hand 
in  his  arm  saying,  "  There's  ae  wee  faut,  they  whiles  lay  to 
me,  I  like  the  lassies,  Gude  f'orgie  me !  " 

Mrs.  Bobaline  had  made  out  her  list,  but  it  was  quite 
another  affair  to  muster  her  forces.  The  ladies  were  mostl  v 


78  Tactics;  or, 

pre-engaged,  or  disinclined  to  take  such  a  tiresome  trip, 
and  the  officers  were  still  more  unattainable,  each  one 
positively  engaged,  except  Lieutenant  Saberin. 

"  It  will  give  Lieutenant  Saberin  great  pleasure  to  ac- 
company Mrs.  Beauballeine's  party."  The  lady  read  and 
re-read  the  "  charming  note."  She  would  not  let  lone  see 
it,  and  secure  to  herself  this  coveted  escort.  But  what 
shall  she  do  with  Mrs.  Maryglot  ?  She  saw  Lieutenant 
Burly  ton  just  descending  the  steps.  She  flew  to  him,  told 
him  lone  was  crazy  to  visit  the  home  of  the  "  Horace  of 
the  age  ;  "  that  they  were  making  up  an  excursion  party  ; 
that  he  was  indispensable  to  her  happiness,  with  much 
more  to  that  effect,  all  of  which  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  the 
generous,  as  he  should  have  been  styled,  believed,  and  fell 
into  the  snare  at  once,  saying  "  All  right,  I'm  ready." 
Eleven  was  the  hour  named,  and  all  were  to  meet  on  the 
piazza.  The  colonel  took  his  leave  of  the  ladies.  lone 
and  her  aunt,  arrayed  themselves  very  tastefully,  for  reasons 
best  known  to  themselves.  lone  did  not  know  that  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin  was  going,  but  was  greatly  flattered  by  the 
devotion  of  the  colonel.  They  were  soon  reminded  by  the 
untiring  Mrs.  Maryglot,  that  the  hour  had  arrived  but  not 
the  beaux !  The  ladies  descended,  and  were  not  a  little 
annoyed  to  find  only  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  with  whom 
none  of  them  happened  to  be  in  love.  Presently,  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin  came,  and  took  his  station  by  lone.  Mrs. 
Bobaline  could  not  have  this  ;  she  beckoned  her  into  the 
hall,  and  gave  her  a  little  motherly  advice.  "  The  colonel 
had  invited  her  to  go,  and  she  must  show  a  little  character, 
and  not  bring  superior  officers  into  juxta-position  with  sub- 
ordinates, that  they  might  fight  and  kill  each  other  !  " 
lone  was  ready  to  cry,  and  begged  to  stay  at  home.  Mad- 
am laughed  in  her  bracelet,  and  said,  "  O,  by  no  means, 
only  be  a  little  discreet,  I'll  give  you  hints  occasionally  !  '' 
She  promised  to  obey,  and  they  set  out. 

The  tardy  Colonel  came  directly  to  lone,  and  apologized 
for  his  want  of  punctuality  in  not  meeting  her  precisely  at 
the  hour. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  79 

Lieutenant  Saberin  looked  sulky  and  greatly  inclined  to 
"'  back  out,"  but  Mi*s.  Bobaline  came  to  his  rescue,  like  a 
skillful  general.  "  Colonel,  I  would  like  to  consult  you  for 
a  moment,"  she  cried  after  him.  The  Colonel  turned  to 
her,  and  Lieutenant  Saberin  took  the  post  he  wanted, 
while  Lieutenant  Burlyton  shouted  behind  her,  "  Plow 
can  the  queen  of  love  and  beauty  bear  the  fatigue ! " 
Lieutenant  Saberin  put  his  hand  in  lone's  arm,  and  walked 
faster  to  get  away  from  them,  and  when  far  before  them,  was 
silent  and  gloomy.  lone  at  first  felt  resentful,  but  glanc- 
ing at  his  proud,  dark  face,  the  thought  entered  her  in- 
nocent heart,  "  Perhaps  he  has  some  deep  sorrow,  that 
lies  buried  in  his  own  breast."  And  forgetting  her  pride, 
and  that  he  was  a  reserved  young  officer,  expecting  to  be 
amused,  she  warbled  lowly  and  sweetly, 

"  Ne'er  tell  me  of  glories  serenely  advancing  ; 

The  close  of  our  day,  the  calm  eve  of  our  night  ; 
Give  me  back,  give  rue  back,  the  wild  freshness  of  morning, 
Her  clouds  and  her  tears,  are  worth  evening's  best  light."' 

Lieutenant  Saberin  started  from  his  reverie,  and  begged 
her  to  sing  the  whole  song  for  him.  She  did  so  ;  he  was 
delighted  with  it,  and  the  rest  of  the  party  joined  them. 
Mrs.  Bobaline  looked  eloquently  at  lone,  and  she  gravely 
took  her  seat  in  the  boat  beside  the  Colonel.  Lieutenant 
Saberin  looked  questioningly  at  her,  and  at  every  one  else, 
but  saw  no  solution  of  the  enigma.  There  lurked  a  very 
bewitching  smile  about  the  mouth  and  downcast  eyes  of 
Mrs.  Bobaline.  Lieutenant  Saberin  thought,  "  The  little 
one  is  stupid,  Madame  sees  it,  and  Madame  is  very  ap- 
preciative, and  by  George  !  very  pretty,"  —  and  he  seated 
himself,  by  Madame.  In  a  few  moments  they  were  ex- 
changing those  nameless  little  courtesies,  which  seem  to 
constitute  such  a  spell  of  enchantment  over  the  minds  of 
the  members  of  the  "  Mutual  Admiration  Society,"  and  by 
the  time  the  boat  reached  the  shore,  they  set  off  togeth- 
er, apparently  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  arrangement. 
Lieutenant  Saberin  had  a  method  in  his  madness,  however, 


80  Tactics ;  or, 

for  the  idea  had  entered  his  brain,  to  sound  Mrs.  Bobaline 
about  lone.  "  She  is  rather  interesting,  and  amusingly  do- 
cile —  but  is  she  rich  ?  How  came  she  to  West  Point  ?  " 
Violetta  evidently  did  not  care  to  show  her  off,  she  had 
avoided  introducing  him  to  her.  Was  she  ashamed  of  her 
family  ?  She  had  waylaid  him  to  introduce  him  to  Mi<s 
Arnold."  All  these  things  passed  in  review  before  him, 
and  made  him  curious  to  fathom  her  ladyship's  designs. 
He  said  to  himself,  "  I  will  begin  sarcastically ;  that  will 
either  please,  or  pique  her,  and  draw  her  out. 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  Miss  lone  reminds  one  of  Cunningham's 
"  '  Xannin  O,'  "  sae  saintly  and  sae  bonny  O." 

"  Yes,  she  is  very  demure  ;  unaccustomed  to  society,  I 
imagine,"  answered  Mrs.  Bobaline. 

"You  imagine  ?  do  you  not  know  ?  Is  she  some  prin- 
cess in  disguise, '  some  fay  from  fairy-land  ?  ' 

"  She  certainly  is  no  princess,  though  the  Colonel  ap- 
pears to  think  her  a  fairy  or  something  of  the   sort,  he 
talks  such  nonsense  to  her  !  " 
"  Who  is  she  ?    What  is  she  ?  " 

"  Well,  she  is  the  child  of  Lieutenant  Bobaline's  only 
sister;  her  mother  is  a  poor  widow  —  and  —  and  I  sur- 
mise, sent  her  here  to  get  a  settlement." 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  a  poor  place  to  get  a  settlement !  " 
A  long  silence  followed  "  the  short  and  simple  annals  " 
of  poor  lone,  and  Lieutenant  Saberin  set  his  sails  to  in- 
vestigate for  himself  this  terre  incognita,  and  falling  into  a 
ruminating  state  of  mind,  he  walked  on  without  speaking, 
chagrining  Madame  extremely,  for  she  saw  that  she  had 
overstepped  the  bounds  of  policy.  She  certainly  had 
shown  no  kindly  feeling  for  her  young  ward,  and  that  to  a 
man  to  whom,  above  all  others,  she  would  fain  appear  an- 
gelic ;  she  was  far  too  selfish  and  "  beautifully  impulsive," 
to  be  mistaken  for  an  angel  by  any  one  who  had  seen  her 
often  ;  and  she  had  shown  such  undisguised  admiration  for 
Lieutenant  Saberin,  that  a  secret  contempt  had  crept  into 
that  gentleman's  mind  for  the  poor  infatuated  lad/  ;  still, 
his  human  nature  could  scarcely  resist  the  worship  of  such 
a  pretty  woman. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  81 


"Qiange  Step" 

Mrs  Bobaline  showed  signs  of  fatigue,  supposing  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin  would  offer  her  his  arm  ;  but  she  was  dis- 
appointed ;  for  he  begged  her  pardon,  and  arranged  a  seat 
for  her,  to  await  the  coming  up  of  the  company.  They 
sat  quietly  enjoying  the  scene,  apparently,  but  each  was 
busy  with  the  darling  scheme,  —  Lieutenant  Saberin  plot- 
ting to  get  possession  of  lone  ;  and  poor,  imprudent  Mrs. 
Bobaline  smothering  the  sighs,  and  crushing  back  the  tears, 
that  nearly  found  their  way  to  the  hot  cheeks  several  times, 
was  building  a  Jacob's  ladder  to  regain  her  lost  elevation 
in  his  eyes. 

"  Ho  !  Saberin,"  shouted  Lieutenant  Burlyton.  "  Giv- 
en out?" 

"  Yes,"  he  answered  gruffly. 

Mrs.  Maryglot  had  performed  the  walk  in  true  English 
style,  and  pranced  up,  glowing  like  a  rose,  to  the  panting 
Mrs.  Bobaline,  "  Up,  up  !  "  cried  she  "  labor  vincet  omnia." 

"  Miserere  mei !  "  affectedly  murmured  the  exhausted 
lady. 

"  Ipse  frueris  otio,"  continued  Mrs.  Maryglot. 

"  Pray,  Mrs.  Maryglot,  speak  German,  we  don't  under- 
stand you  !  "  said  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  looking  very 
drolly  at  the  learned  lady. 

"  Very  well ;  "  she  replied  "  after  this,  you  shall  con- 
verse in  your  native  tongue,  '  German  to  soldiers  ! '  I 
think  you  said." 

"  My  native  tongue  ?  I  hope  you  don't  take  me  for  a 
Dutchman  !  Ha  !  ha  !  "  and  Lieutenant  Burlyton  lay 
down  on  the  grass,  and  rolled. 

"  Mrs.  Maryglot  has  just  told  Mrs.  Bobaline,  that  she 
beats  an  omnibus  ;  Colonel,  what  do  you  think  of  that  ?  " 
Seeing  Mrs.  Maryglot  taking  aim  at  him,  he  went  on, 
"  not  ih  so  many  words  to  be  sure,  but  as  near  as  he  could 
understand  her,"  and  he  laughed  immoderately. 

"  Speaking  of  omnibuses,"  said   Mrs.   Maryglot,    "  re- 
4* 


82  Tactics;  or, 

minds  me  of  those  that  run  between  Berlin  and  Charlotten 
burg,  a  delightful   little  drive  of  an  hour  or  less  ;  ah,  'tis 
charming !  the  perfume  of  orange  groves,  and  such  associa- 
tions gilding  every  spot  your  eye  rests  on.     What  a  tame, 
humdrum  country  is  this  !  " 

"  Humdrum,  madam  !  "  screamed  the  Colonel,  turning 
scarlet,  "  is  it  possible  that  your  mind  is  in  such  a  benight- 
ed state  ?  " 

Lieutenant    Burly  ton  had  arisen  and  drawn   near  the" 
belligerents,  enjoying  the  prospect  of  fun.     "  When  Greek 
meets  Greek,"  he  shouted. 

Mrs.  Maryglot  fell  into  a  tragical  attitude,  grasping  the 
shawl  that  was  falling  from  her  shoulders,  so  that  almost 
unconsciously  she  assumed  the  grand  grace  and  dignity  of 
a  Roman  senator.  Waving  her  uncovered  and  finely 
moulded  arm  to  and  fro,  her  voice  rang  out,  "  What,  what 
are  your  barren  hills,  and  chaotic  scenery,  compared  to 
classic,  storied  Europe,  where  we  breathe  the  air  of  Eden 
and  behold  the  foot-prints  of  an  Alexander,  a  Julius  Cesar, 
a  Frederick  William  ?  What  are  your  savage  haunts  com- 
pared to  such  scenes  ?  "  Her  nostrils  dilated  like  those  of 
a  war-horse.  lone  drew  near  the  place  of  conflict,  and 
laid  her  hand  softly  on  the  Colonel's  arm. 

'•  Madam  !  madam  !  "  cried  the  infuriated  man,  "  was 
Washington  a  savage  ?  Are  not  his  foot-steps  more  —  more 
—  yes,  more?" 

"  Yes,  yes,"   echoed  Lieutenant  Burly  ton. 

Just  at  that  instant  they  were  shocked  by  peals  of  laugh- 
ter from  Mrs.  Maryglot.  She  pointed  beyond  them,  they 
turned,  and  saw  Lieutenant  Saberin  with  his  cap  nicely 
adjusted  on  a  crotched  stick,  preparing  to  photograph  the 
group.  Squinting  over  it,  he  cried  in  the  most  business- 
like tone,  "  Eyes  a  little  oblique,  Colonel."  They  all 
laughed,  and  good  humor  was  restored.  Lieutenant  Saberin 
put  on  his  cap,  and  advancing  to  lone,  took  the  wild  flow- 
ers from  her  hand,  in  a  quiet  brotherly  way,  and  offered  her 
his  arm.  "  Poor  little  girl !  those  furious  people  have  ter- 
rified you  to  a  degree,  I'll  be  sworn  you  are  glad  to  get 
under  my  wing." 


Cupid  ill  Shoulder  Straps,  83 

She  could  think  of  nothing  just  then,  but  the  gravity 
with  which  he  had  enacted  the  daguerreotypist ;  and  her 
laugh  rang  through  the  air,  awakening  the  echoes  among 
the  hills,  and  rather  throwing  Lieutenant  Saberin  on  his 
dignity.  She  explained  that  it  was  his  cleverness  that 
amused  her,  and  he  rewarded  her,  by  throwing  off  the 
magnificent  officer,  and  donning  the  fascinating  young 
gentleman,  and  succeeded  beautifully.  Their  walk  was  at 
an  end,  much  too  soon  for  either  party.  Mrs.  Maryglot 
was  with  the  warlike  Colonel,  who  was  anxious  to  retrieve 
his  character  in  her  eyes,  by  enlightening  her  dark  mind, 
as  it  regarded  the  hallowed  ground  she  was  treading.  As 
they  approached  the  home  of  the  poet,  she  asked  "  If  the 
village  was  built  on  the  General's  domains  ;  —  were  they 
his  tenantry  ?  "  Mrs.  Bobaline  and  Lieutenant  Burlyton 
were  directly  behind  them,  and  enjoying  their  conversation 
very  much,  but  this  was  too  much  for  the  fun-loving 
Lieutenant,  he  gave  forth  one  of  his  sonorous  neighs,  mak- 
ing both  ladies  shrink  with  affright  The  Colonel,  unwilling 
to  lower  this  grand  idea  to  the  democratic  fact,  darted  a 
savage  look  at  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  and  said  gravely, 
"  There  are  several  estates  joined  here,  I  believe." 

"  What  great  man  owns  and  cultivates  these  enormous 
hills,  or  do  they  cultivate  them  ?  " 

"  O,  yes ;  there  are  many  cottages  built  at  intervals, 
and  there  are  fine  graperies,  and  orchards  of  rare  fruit, 
and  —  such  things." 

She  thought  this  very  fine  ;  saying  it  was  quite  a  re- 
spectable country.  She  was  indignant  that  the  General 
did  not  preserve  acres  and  acres  of  park  and  green-sward 
around  his  mansion,  and  have  herds  of  deer,  and  ponds  for 
fish,  and  swans,  etc.  she  could  not  forgive  him  for  it ! 
Lieutenant  Burlyton  ground  his  heel  in  the  earth,  and 
leaning  over  it  examined  it  closely.  Mrs.  Bobaline  bit  her 
lip  politely,  the  Colonel  led  the  way  into  u  Undercliff." 

"  Undercliff !  "  murmured  Mrs.  M.  "the  home  of  an 
American  poet." 

"  Yes,"  responded  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  "  '  Woodman 
spare  that  tree.' " 


84  Tactics;  or, 

The  lady  looked  in  every  direction,  and  turning  to  him 
said  sharply,  "  What  tree  ?  " 

"  O,  1  was  quoting."  Making  a  grimace  at  his  ccm- 
panion,  for  her  stupidity,  as  he  said  in  an  "  aside."  They 
walked  in,  and  around,  rather  lawlessly,  as  the  family 
were  absent.  Mrs.  Maryglot  pronounced  it  quite  "  home- 
like," but  was  disappointed  that  she  could  not  see  the  poet. 
They  strolled  far  above  the  place  on  the  hill,  and  were 
now  weary  enough  to  return.  lone  and  Lieutenant  Sa- 
berin  had  reached  the  boat. 

"  Have  you  taken  the  tenderest  care  of  Mrs.  Bobaline, 
Colonel  ?  "  asked  Lieutenant  Saberin,  which  consideration, 
flattered  the  lady  into  sprightliness,  and  she  said  quickly, 
"  Indeed,  he  has  !  "  and  pointing  to  lone  she  quoted,  "  '  To 
this  great  fairy,  I'll  commend  thy  acts,  make  her  thanks 
bless  thee,  —  O,  thou  day  o'the  world.'  ' 

Lieutenant  Burlyton,  who  had  to  drag  the  weary  lady 
every  step,  as  he  afterward  said,  dropped  his  head,  rushed 
from  her  side,  stepped  into  the  boat,  and  giving  lone  his 
hand,  seated  her  cosily  by  his  side,  leaving  the  rest  to  take 
care  of  themselves.  Mrs.  Bobaline  stood  back  and  let  the 
Colonel  help  Mrs.  Maryglot  in,  and  seat  her,  he  turned  to 
Mrs.  B.  "  O,  never  mind  me  !  "  she  said  ;  but  he  still 
stood  up  in  the  boat. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  regarded  Mrs.  Bobaline  curiously. 
"  You  are  going,  are  you  not  ?  "  he  said,  but  made  no  ef- 
fort to  assist  her.  She  blushed,  did  not  answer,  but  spi'ang 
forward  to  get  into  the  boat  unassisted,  stepped  on  the 
edge,  as  it  was  swaying  about  from  the  restlessness  of  the 
tall  Colonel,  it  upset  at  once.  The  whole  party  were  in 
the  water  in  an  instant.  Lieutenant  Saberin  had  leaned 
Inrward  to  catch  Mrs.  Bobaline,  lost  his  balance  and  fell 
after  her  head-foremost  into  the  water  also  ;  he  righted 
himself  quickly  and  caught  her  up,  as  being  the  object  of 
his  pursuit,  but  was  unconscious  that  any  one  else  was  in 
the  water  till  he  had  landed  Mrs.  Bobaline  ;  what  was  his 
dismay  to  see  the  half-drowned  Colonel  clinging  to  the 
boat,  and  the  Lieutenant  and  Mrs.  Marvo-lot  rollin^  over 

- 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  85 

and  over  each  other  like  playful  porpoises,  while  lone  was 
drifting  away,  with  a  piteous  look  on  her  death-like  face, 
lie  could  not  reason,  he  rushed  into  the  water,  and  after 
a  sharp  struggle  secured  her  with  one  arm,  while  he  at- 
tempted to  reach  the  shore  with  the  other.  Many  per- 
sons had  gathered  to  their  aid,  and  but  a  few  moments 
elapsed  till  all  were  safely  on  terra  h'rma  again.  lone  was 
nearly  exhausted,  but  Mrs.  Maryglot  shouted  so  lustily 
that  "  she  was  drowned,"  and  Mrs.  Bobaline  was  really  so 
nearly  dead  with  fright  and  the  chill,  that  she  received  but 
little  attention,  till  she  saw  Lieutenant  Saberin  advancing 
to  her  with  two  men,  and  a  large  chair  between  them,  to 
carry  her  to  a  house  for  dry  clothes,  and  to  get  warm. 
She  begged  he  would  take  Mrs.  Bobaline,  but  he  resolutely 
refused,  and  taking  her  up,  seated  her  in  the  chair,  ordered 
the  men  to  take  her  to  the  hotel.  Her  aunt  was  at  once 
endowed  with  new  energies,  she  rose,  put  her  arm  in  that 
of  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  gathered  her  wet  dress  about 
her,  and  said  "  Take  me  after  lone."  He  led  her  to  the 
hotel,  and  Madam  Maryglot  coming  up  with  the  Colonel, 
thev  were  confided  to  the  care  of  some  women,  and  were 
presently  arrayed  after  a  very  droll  fashion,  in  garments 
"  a  world  too  wide,"  too  long  or  too  short,  too  large  or  too 
small.  Their  own  wet  habiliments  parcelled  together, 
and  they  parcelled  into  the  boat,  to  the  amusement  of  the 
spectators. 

"  1    Squad  Backward.     2  March." 

"  They  spake  not  a  word,  but  like  dumb  statues  or 
breathless  stones,  stared  on  each  other,  and  looked  deadly 
pale."  The  accident  occurred  so  suddenly,  that  no  one 
appeared  to  know  how  the  boat  was  upset.  The  by-staml- 
ers  had  told  a  variety  of  stories,  some  that  it  was  the  Colo- 
nel helping  a  lady  in  ;  "other  some  "  that  it  was  Lieuten- 
ant Saberin,  losing  his  balance  and  falling  forward  when 
helping  a  lady,  but  Lieutenant  Saberin  saw  and  under- 
stood the-  whole  affair,  that  Mrs.  Bobaline  would  permit 


86  Tactics ;  or, 

no  one  to  help  her,  but  him,  while  his  vanity  allowed  him 
to  mortify  her,  and  thus  it  happened  that  the  boat  was  up- 
set. Every  one  was  sullen  or  thankful,  and  even  poor 
Madam  Maryglot  had  not  a  word  to  say  for  herself,  except 
that,  "  It  was  a  wonder  of  mercies  that  they  were  not  go- 
ing home  dead  corpses  !  "  in  a  very  quiet,  Christian  way. 
Lieutenant  Burlyton's  chin  was  buried  in  his  wet  bosom, 
which  heaved  and  shook  at  this  sally,  like  a  disturbed  jelly, 
but  his  mouth  was  serene  as  usual.  He  however  had  fun 
enough,  marshalling  and  marching  them  up  to  the  hotel, 
which  they  reached  unseen,  but  there,  ye  gods  ! 

"  The  handsome  bar-maids  stare,  as  mute  as  fishes  ; 
And  sallow  waiters,  frightened,  drop  their  dishes  !  " 

The  servants  ran  out  to  see  them,  but  the  ingenious 
Lieutenant  B.  asked  them  if  they  had  never  heard  of  peo- 
ple going  in  swimming,  or  bathing,  before,  attitudinizing 
before  them  he  repeated, 

"  The  torrent  roar'd  ;  and  we  did  buffet  it 
With  lusty  sinews  ;  throwing  it  aside, 
And  stemming  it  with  hearts  of  controversy." 

They  retired  abashed. 

The  Colonel  complimenting  him  in  prose,  "  Well  Burly- 
ton  you  are  a  great  fool !  "  bowed  to  the  ladies,  who  were 
disguised  like  washer-women,  and  each  took  himself  to 
his  retreat  as  quickly  as  possible.  Mrs.  Bobaline  kept  her 
room  and  her  bed  for  some  days,  really  sick  from  the  ef- 
fects of  her  impromptu  bath. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  87 


"LESSON  THIRD." 

"  Two" 

Lieutenant  Saberin  felt  a  languor  and  depression  un- 
known to  him,  for  some  days,  and  avoided  every  one.  In 
one  of  these  new  phases  of  his  character,  he  seated  himself 
in  the  loneliest  spot  he  could  find.  Here  Love,  the  mis- 
chievous boy,  brought  to  his  side  a  pretty  blue-eyed  girl, 
just  as  he  had  adjusted  his  lorgrette  to  peep  at  a  black-eyed 
one,  from  New  Orleans.  Of  course  he  could  not  expose  his 
infidelity  to  the  intruder,  so  he  politely  offered  her  a  seat 
at  his  side  to  admire,  as  he  knew  she  would,  the  lovely 
scene  around  him.  The  little  lass  was  "  fond  and  fair  to 
see." 

She  asked  him  if  he  had  a  little  notelet  in  his  "  vade 
mecum,"  he  had  never  read.  With  a  rueful  tinge  on  his 
ingenuous  face,  he  drew  out  the  little  book,  and  among  the 
leaves  discovered, 

"  The  Lost  Bird." 

"  My  bird  has  flown  away, 
Far  out  of  sight  has  flown,  I  know  not  where; 
Look  in  your  lawn,  I  pray, 
Ye  maidens  kind  and  fair, 
And  see  if  my  beloved  bird  be  there  ! 
His  eyes  are  full  of  light, — 
The  eagle  of  the  rock  has  such  an  eye, — 
And  plumes,  exceeding  bright, 
On  his  smooth  temples  lie  ; 
And  sweet  his  voice,  and  tender  as  a  sigh  ! 
Look  where  the  grass  is  gay 

With  summer  blossoms  —  haply  there  he  cower.?  — 
And  search,  from  spray  to  spray, 
The  leafy,  laurel  bowers  ; 
For  well  he  loves  the  laurels  and  the  flowers  ! 
Find  him,  but  do  not  dwell, 
With  eye    too  fond,  en  the  fair  form  you  see, 
Nor  love  his  songs  toe  well : 


88  Tactics;  or, 

Send  him  at  once  to  me, 

Or  leave  him  to  the  air,  and  liberty  ! 

For,  only  from  my  hand 

He  takes  the  seed  into  his  golden  beak. 

And  all  unwiped,  shall  stand 

The  tears  that  wet  my  cheek, 

Till  I  have  found  the  wanderer  I  seek  ! 

My  sight  is  darkened  o'er, 

AVhene'er  I  miss  bis  eyes  that  are  my  day. 

And  when  I  hear  no  more, 

The  music  of  his  lay, 

My  soul,  in  utter  sorrow,  faints  away  !" 

When  he  looked  up,  the  blue-eyed  one  had  vanished,  or 
he  saw  her  not  for  the  tears  that,  "  stealing  from  his  eyes 
in  large,  silent  drops,  without  his  leave,"  "  dropped  on  his 
doublet  as  Nature  had  intended  them  for  ornament ! ' 
Long  he  sat,  in  contrite  sadness.  "  If  she  would  only 
hate  me  !  I  hate  myself !  The  pure  and  lovely  angel  ! 
She  would  be  as  happy  as  a  bird  in  Paradise  with  me 
here  !  —  but  that  can  never  be  !  No,  no  !  I  am  commit- 
ted to  Pauline.  "Heavens  !  I  could  drown  myself."  His 
monologue  was  interrupted  by  the  voice  of  Lieutenant 
Mera,  behind  him. 

44  That  little  piece  of  poetry,  if  you  please,  Mr.  Sa- 
berin." 

Lieutenant  Saberin  turned  upon  him  like  a  "  tiger  chafed 
by  the  hunter's  spear.'* 
'  «  Mera  !  " 

Mera's  frank,  manly  face  saved  him.  Ne'er  had  Al- 
pine son  such  need,"  for  Lieutenant  Saberin  was  ready  to 
dash  him  down  the  rocks,  had  he  not  been  arrested  by  the 
majesty  of  Lieutenant  Mera's  mien,  and  the  lion-like,  de- 
fiant look  of  his  large,  dark  eye. 

Lieutenant  Mera  divined  at  once,  that  his  friend  sup- 
posed he  had  heard  his  soliloquy,  when  he  had  that  mo- 
ment dropped  upon  the  grass  at  his  side,  the  damp  green- 
sward muffling  his  tread,  so  that  Lieutenant  Saberin,  bu- 
ried in  such  an  intense  depth  of  thought,  had  neither  seen 
nor  heard  him.  He  supposed  the  last  exclamation  addressed 
to  himself,  as  a  prefatory  remark  to  some  confidence  about 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  89 

to  be  placed  in  his  keeping  ;  and  seeing  the  poetry  lying 
on  the  ground,  asked  familiarly,  and  as  he  thought,  face- 
tiously, for  it. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  covered  his  flashing  eyes  with  his 
hand,  snatching  the  paper  from  the  ground,  turned  and 
walked  away.  Lieutenant  Mera,  generous  as  brave,  arose, 
fol lowed  him,  and  laying  his  hand  in  his  arm  gently  as  a 
girl,  began  in  low,  loving  tones,  to  tell  him  some  of  his 
own  plans. 

They  walked  on  till,  coming  in  sight  of  the  hotel,  he 
said,  "  Hallo  !  Ladies  ?  Who  are  they  ?  "  They  could 
not  see,  till  near  the  hedge,  when  they  discovered  they 
were  Mrs.  Bobaline  and  lone  ;  the  former  looking  lovelier 
than  ever,  in  a  white  robe.  Lieutenant  Saberin,  really 
pitying  her,  had  looked  for  her  reappearance,  to  pay  his 
most  deferential  respects  to  her.  He  now  ran  lightly  up 
the  steps,  and  without  noticing  lone,  greeted  her  warmly. 
His  tactics  said  that  he  could  not  pay  one  lady  a  proper 
compliment,  without  sacrificing  another  lady  to  her.  He 
expressed  his  delight  that  her  bright  presence  would  make 
the  house  inhabitable  again,  he  had  scarcely  been  in  the 
house  since  that  unfortunate  affair.  A  pearly  tinge  over- 
spread her  pale  face,  showing  that  his  barbarity  to  her  had 
not  drowned  the  love  of  flattery,  or  dethroned  the  idol  in 
her  weak  heart. 

"  Four." 

"  lone,  here  are  invitations  to  a  party  given  by  the 
Coldes,  Wednesday  evening,"  said  Mrs.  Bobaline,  entering 
Tone's  room,  "  and,  darling,  if  you  have  no  pretty  eve- 
ning dress,  we  must  get  one  up,  as  you  must  look  nice  on 
your  first  appearance  at  a  party,  here." 

"  Thank  you,  Viola,  I  have  some  evening  dresses  in  one 
of  my  trunks,  I  believe  ;  but  what  sort  of  an  affair  is  it  to  be  ? 
Who  will  I  see  ?  I  mean,  will  the  cadets  be  there,  or,  poor 
fellows  !  are  they  denied  the  pleasures  of  attending  a  stu- 
pid party?  " 


90  Tactics;  or, 

"  Why  no,  lone,  of  course  cadets  cannot  go.  It  is  strange 
you  prefer  the  cadets  to  the  offcers  ;  yet  I  don't  know  that 
it  is,  as  they  prefer  the  society  of  married  ladies  to  that 
of  girls,  they  are  so  stupid  and  silly  !  But  for  your  own 
sake  I  beg  you  will  not  insist  on  identifying  yourself  en- 
tirely with  the  cadets ;  they  are  nice  enough,  but  for  a 
poor  young  girl,  who  should  think  of  establishing  herself, 
or  of  something  beside  flirting,  the  young  officers  are 
much  more  available.  There's  Lieutenant  Mera ;  be 
more  polite  and  attentive  to  him  ;  he  has  spoken  to  me  of 
you  several  times.  You  are  altogether  too  independent  with 
the  officers,  to  be  fascinating ;  the  cadets  like  it  because  they 
are  not  independent,  but  the  officers  hate  an  independent 
woman." 

"  Why,  Viola,  there  is  nothing  an  officer  so  much  seeks 
as  an  heiress,  I  have  heard  you  say  so  yourself;  and  sure- 
ly she  is  independent  of  them." 

"  No,  lone,  she  may  show  her  dependence  on  them 
for  their  assistance,  in  a  thousand  ways,  their  opinion,  or 
their  affection,  to  enhance  her  own  happiness ;  if  she  does 
not  do  this,  she  is  not  loved." 

"  Then,"  said  lone  laughing,  and  seating  herself  cosily 
on  the  carpet,  "  I  will  insist  upon  Lieutenant  Mera  giving 
me  his  arm,  or  I  shall  not  be  able  to  walk  across  the  room  ; 
do  you  think  that  will  be  taking  ?  " 

"  Yes,  such  airs  would  come  very  well  from  an  heiress, 
but  a  poor  girl  must  be  very  sweet,  and  kind  —  not  to 
make  a  fool  of  herself  though,  and  show  one  particular 
officer  that  she  wishes  his  attentions  alone." 

"  O,  don't  I  wish  the  bonny  boys  in  grey  were  to  be 
there,  and  not  a  shade  of  blue  should  tinge  my  sky !  " 

Mrs.  Bobaline  arose  looking  offended,  and  said  as  she 
reached  the  door,  "  I  suppose  Miss  lone  will  not  object  to 
a  few  invitations  to  dance,  from  the  shades  of  blue." 

"  No  —  but  what  are  they  to  me  or  I  to  them,  sweet 
Viola?  all  you  married  ladies  are  constantly  ding-don^ini,' 
it  in  our  ears,  that  the  officers  avoid  a  poor  girl  as  they 
would  the  —  the  —  small  pox.  Pray  permit  us  to  enjoy 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  91 

what  we  can  have ;  the  cadets  are  generous,  and  come 
away  from  the  barracks  to  see  us  '•poor  girls,'  while  the 
calculating  officers,  would  not  walk  across  the  hall  to  see 
one,  unless  you  go  and  cany  them  in  your  arms,  as  it 
were  1 "  and  lone  laughed  merrily. 

"  Innocent !  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Bobaline,  shutting  the 
door  with  a  click. 

When  lone  was  alone,  she  ruminated.  "  Lieutenant 
Mera  has  spoken  to  me  of  you  several  times,"  yes,  and  he 
spoke  of  me  to  Lieutenant  Saberin,  "  so  so,"  with  a  shrug 
of  his  manly,  elegant  shoulders.  Did  that  mean  love,  or 
any  desperate  degree  of  admiration  ?  Not  in  her  poor  es- 
timation. So  she  chose  not  to  think  about  the  disagreea- 
ble creatures  any  more,  but  took  out  one  of  her  dresses. 
She  would  dress  herself  prettily  this  afternoon,  as  she  was 
to  go  to  walk  at  four  o'clock  with  a  "  bonny  boy  in  grey." 
Her  toilet  completed,  she  did  not  stop  to  speak  to  Viola, 
fearing  to  displease  her  by  her  elaborate  attire  ;  she  ran 
hastily  down  the  stairs,  hoping  she  might  not  encounter 
any  one  to  detain  her,  as  she  must  meet  her  cavalier  more 
than  half  way,  just  outside  the  north  door,  which  she  had 
chosen,  to  avoid  being  seen. 


92  Tactics ;  or, 


"INSTRUCTION." 

"  ARTICLE   FIRST.       FOR    SKIRMISHERS." 

"  Relieve  Skirmishers" 

She  met  Lieutenant  Storme. 

"  Oh,  Miss  lone !  how  glad  I  am  to  see  you.  I  was 
just  going  to  send  up  for  you,  (a  white  lie)  there  is  to  be 
riding  in  the  hall  this  afternoon,  I  thought  you  might  like 
to  go,  and  now  you  are  all  ready  and  looking  as  lovely  as 
Wenus.  Let  us  start  down  here,  and  take  "  Flirtation  " 
in  our  way." 

"  Thank  you  Lieutenant  Storme,  but  I  have  an  engage- 
ment to  walk,  at  this  hour." 

"  With  whom,  may  I  ask  ?  " 

"  Cadet  — "  began  lone. 

"  O,  never  mind.  Where  were  you  to  meet,  outside 
the  hedge  ?  " 

lone  bowed. 

"  Well,  we  can  go  on,  and  if  he  is  there,  we  shall  meet 
him.  Will  that  do,  Miss  lone  ?  "  It  would  be  a  pity  to 
lose  the  riding  and  walk  too,  as  those  young  men  are  not 
the  most  reliable  persons  in  the  world. 

Lieutenant  Storme  knew  that  lone's  cadet  was  in  the 
south  parlor ;  and  if  he  could  get  lone  outside  the  hedge, 
they  could  not  meet,  and  he  would  take  the  little  beauty 
where  she  would  be  seen,  and  he  envied,  by  officers  and 
cadets. 

lone  was  positive  that  she  should  meet  Cadet  Smith  at 
the  hedge,  and  accepted  Lieutenant  Storme  to  that  spot ; 
but  was  astonished  at  not  finding  him  there.  He  glanced 
in  every  direction. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  93 

;'  You  see  the  young  man  is  not  as  good  as  his  word." 

lone  looked  annoyed,  and  replied,  "  I  fear  your  remark 
is  too  true,  they  are  unreliable." 

Ah,  well,  Miss  lone  !  I  will  do  my  poor  endeavors  to 
atone  for  the  young  man's  delinquency,  and  do  "  Flirta- 
tion "  in  good  cadet  style,  and  then  /  can  take  you  to 
see  the  riding,  which  Cadet  Smith  could  not  do  ;  so  please 
be  consoled,  and  don't  look  so  doleful." 

"  How  can  you,  Mr.  Storme,  make  fun  of  me  so  cru- 
elly !  I  am  sure  he  has  not  neglected  to  come,  and  I 
feel  there  has  been  some  mistake ;  and  I  would  not  appear 
to  disregard  our  engagement,  for  the  world." 

"  O,  Miss  lone,  do  not  you  know  that  young  ladies 
should  not  make  engagements  with  cadets  ?  Their  great 
subordination  renders  them  liable  to  receive  orders  from 
their  superiors,  at  any  moment." 

"  Their  superior  officer,  if  you  please,  Lieutenant 
Storme,"  said  lone,  vexed. 

"  That  is  better ;  I  would  not  have  you  suppose  that 
Cadet  Smith  has  his  superior  on  the  Post,  except  in  rank ; 
and  I  dare  affirm  has  not  willingly  neglected  his  engage- 
ment," he  said  cunningly ;  "  and  I  will  give  you  his  ex- 
cuse very  soon." 

"  You  will  be  saved  the  trouble,  for  I  think  we  shall 
meet,  him." 

"  He  is  very  unlike  me,  if  he  gives  up  the  chase,  with 
such  a  prize  at  the  end." 

"  Which  way  are  you  going  ?  this  is  not  the  way  to 
*  Flirtation.' ': 

"  No,  but  I  did  not  wish  to  leave  the  hedge  too  soon,  so 
I  thought  we  would  take  a  look  at  Fort  Clinton,  and  then 
return  to  the  hotel,  and  so  around ;  have  I  your  approv- 
al ?"  He  said  this  very  earnestly. 

"  O,  yes,  Lieutenaut  Storme,  you  are  very  kind  ;  and 
if  we  do  not  find  him  on  his  knees,  at  the  entrance  of  the 
hedge,  '  let  me  see  his  eyes,  that  when  I  see  another  man 
like  him,  I  may  avoid  him  !  ' 

All  this  time  Cadet  Smith  was  in  no  amiable  mood : 


94  Tactics;  or, 

thinking  he  would  be  a  little  civilized,  or  do  as  civilians 
would  think  it  only  civilized  to  do,  —  go  to  the  hotel  for 
her,  he  entered  just  as  Lieutenant  Storme  stepped  out 
of  the  north  door ;  so  he  went  into  the  parlor,  to 
await  lone,  thinking  he  would  see  her  passing  the  door, 
and  not  run  the  risk  of  being  reported,  he  waited  some 
time,  walked  to  the  window,  and  could  scarcely  credit  his 
senses  when  he  saw  Lieutenant  Storme  and  lone  walking 
deliberately  past  the  very  spot  he  had  appointed  to  meet 
her.  Burning  with  indignation,  he  went  out  on  the  piaz- 
za, repeating  "  When  was  woman  true  ?  "  He  saw  them 
go  to  Fort  Clinton.  Had  he  felt  indifferent,  he  would 
have  given  chase  and  claimed  her  from  the  superior  offi- 
cer, but  he  was  not ;  and  turned  on  his  heel,  more  wounded 
than  angry  —  very  sentimentally  indignant.  In  the  door 
stood  a  young  lady,  an  old  friend  of  his,  her  jaunty  little 
hat  hung  over  her  shoulder  by  the  strings.  Cadet  Smith 
asked  her  whither  she  was  bound.  She  replied, 

"  O,  anywhere  for  a  walk  ;  I  thought  it  a  pity  to  stay 
in  this  pleasant  afternoon,  —  where  are  you  going  ?  " 

He  would  invite  her,  take  her  to  meet  lone,  and  give 
her  the  cut  direct. —  *'  Nowhere  ;  I  came  to  see  a  friend, 
and  found  her  out !  Permit  me  to  accompany  you  ?  " 

"  O,  no  indeed.  I  will  not  take  you  away,  perhaps  your 
friend  may  come  in,  and  be  disappointed." 

"  Why,  what  in  the  world  could  a  fellow  have  to  do 
that  would  be  pleasanter  than  to  take  a  walk  on  such  a 
delicious  day  with  an  old  friend,  Miss  Lizzie." 

"  Thank  you  for  the  old  part  of  the  compliment,  just 
wait  till  I  ask  mamma,  and  tell  her  who  I  am  going  with. 
She  ran  through  the  hall  to  the  parlor. 

Cadet  Smith  thought  her  pretty  and  graceful,  and  chided 
himself  for  having  shown  her  so  little  attention  since  lone 
came :  she  would  not  have  behaved  as  his  new  fancy  had 
done  —  he  would  treat  Miss  lone  as  if  he  had  never  known 
her,  so  he  would. 

Lizzie  Arnold  was  a  formidable  rival  for  any  young 
lady.  An  officer's  daughter,  with  a  brother  in  the  corps, 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  95 

she  was  at  home  on  West  Point.     Her  mamma,  a  very 
lovely  woman   and  very  wealthy,  won   a  large  circle  of 
friends  among  the  best  people,  for  her  beautiful  and  natu 
nil  Lizzie. 

She  soon  returned  to  Mr.  Smith.  lie  proposed  Fort 
Clinton  first,  but  they  were  too  late  for  lone  and  her  beau, 
for  while  Lizzie  was  gone  to  her  mother,  the  Lieutenant 
had  returned  with  lone,  and  gone  down  the  steps  to  the 
far-famea  "  Flirtation."  lone  thought  Lieutenant  Storme 
handsome,  but  could  not  judge  of  his  brilliancy,  as  she 
had  only  been  introduced  a  short  time  before,  since  which 
time  he  had  only  bowed  to  her  in  the  most  formal  man- 
ner, manifesting  the  greatest  indifference  about  becoming 
"  better  acquainted  "  with  her.  What  power  hud  placed 
him  in  her  path  this  afternoon,  good  or  ill?  His  familiar- 
ity frightened  and  piqued  her.  If  she  was  astonished  at 
his  invitation  and  evident  wish  to  atone  for  Cadet  Smith's 
non-appearance,  she  was  still  more  so  at  his  conversation, 
lie  flattered  her  in  the  most  delicate  manner, —  told  her 
amusing  stories,  and  commented  most  freely  upon  all  the 
residents  of  the  post, —  mentioned  who  were  his  favorites 
among  the  young  officers,  in  short,  was  confidential  to  a 
most  complimentary  degree. 

lone,  between  perplexity  as  it  regarded  the  conduct  of 
Cadet  Smith,  and  not  knowing  what  to  make  of  Lieuten- 
ant Storme,  was  in  a  perfect  maze  of  emotions.  Cadet 
Smith  had  been  very  polite  to  her,  she  had  found  him  un- 
varying in  his  attentions,  manly  and  straight-forward  — 
their  little  interviews  on  the  piazza,  and  one  or  two  strolls, 
she  had  enjoyed  very  much  ;  and  now,  to  her  amazement, 
she  found  herself  entertained  in  an  equally  agreeable  man- 
ner by  one  of  "  the  shades  of  blue  "  that  only  the  day  be- 
fore she  should  have  protested  she  was  not  acquainted 
with  ;  and  her  friend  had  broken  an  engagement  that  he 
seemed  to  think  his  existence  hung  on  arranging  !  O, 
West  Point !  would  it  not  take  a  longer  head  than  unso- 
phisticated lone's,  to  understand  your  tactics  ?  and  how 
much  more  your  accomplished  tacticians  ! 


96  Tactics;  or, 

Lieutenant  Storme  had  succeeded  in  making  himself  so 
entertaining,  that  lone  had  almost  forgotten  her  disappoint- 
ment, in  her  mirth  at  his  ludicrous  stories,  when  at  the 
turn  in  the  path,  near  "  Gee's  Point,"  they  met  Cadet 
Smith  and  the  young  girl  she  had  noticed  with  him  at  the 
hotel.  All  parties  look  surprised.  "  O,  conscience,  con- 
science, man's  most  faithful  friend  !  "  Cadet  Smith  sa- 
luted Lieutenant  Storme,  but  did  not  look  at  lone.  Miss 
Arnold  gave  Lieutenant  Storme  a  pleasant  bow^  and  poor 
lone  looked  petrified. 

"  Is  not  that  the  young  man  you  were  to  walk  with  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Lieutenant  Storme,"  trembled  on  lone's  lip. 
"  What  have  I  done  to  offend  him  ?  " 

"  Please  don't  mind  the  freaks  of  a  boy  in  this  way,  he 
has  given  his  conscience  a  vacation.  Really,  if  you  insist 
on  looking  so  miserable,  I  shall  be  tempted  to  turn,  and  in 
the  face  of  the  pretty  girl,  give  him  a  sound  thrashing  !  " 

"  O,  Lieutenant  Storme,  you  would  frighten  me  to 
death.  Indeed,  I  don't  mind,  only  I  fear  he  has  something 
to  blame  me  for,  or  he  would  never  treat  me  so." 

Lieutenant  Storme's  heart  melted  at  the  sight  of  her 
pretty  distress  and  trembling  lip.  "  It  may  be  he  has  been 
a  little  late,  and  some  one  has  told  him  of  our  going  out 
together,  and  the  young  scamp  has  seen  fit  to  vent  his 
vexation  in  this  ungentlemanly  manner;  and  in  such  a 
case  the  best  way  is  to  take  no  notice  of  him  ;  he  will 
come  to  his  reason  if  he  is  worth  the  interest  you  take  in 
him." 

Poor  lone  heard,  but  refused  to  be  comforted.  When 
they  reached  the  riding  hall,  the  ladies  and  officers  con- 
cluded that  was  a  case  past  help,  a  clear  case  of  a  propo- 
sition accepted,  they  both  looked  so  demure. 

"  Load  at  Will." 

W\hen  they  were  seated,  Lieutenant  Mera  joined  them. 
—  "  Miss  lone,  your  aunt  is  half  crazy  about  you,  she  has 
had  criers  out,  all  over  the  plain  !  " 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  97 

*'  Weeping  cadets  !  "  interrupted  Lieutenant  Storme. 
— And  lias  had  a  detachment  detailed  to  fire  a  ten-inch 
columbiad,  to  bring  you  to  the  surface,  if  you  had  gone 
desperate  and  leaped  into  the  river." 

"  It  would  take  more  than  a  columbiad  to  bring  Miss 
lone  up,  this  afternoon,"  said  Lieutenant  Storme. 

"But  really,  is  Viola  coming  to  see  the  riding?"  she 
asked. 

"  Yes.  Fearing  her  last  remark  had  offended  you,  she 
thought  you  might  have  gone  off  on  a  high  horse ;  she 
will  soon  inspect  the  riding- hall,  assisted  by  Lieutenant 
Saberin." 

lone  looked  troubled.  "  She  could  not  think  that  I 
would  be  offended  at  that ;  she  meant  it  for  my  good,  no 
doubt." 

"  But,  Miss  lone,  all  do  not  attribute  such  disinterested 
motives  to  the  interference  of  others,  particularly  if  — 
shall  we  let  Lieutenant  Storme  into  our  family  secrets  ?  " 

"  It  is  no  secret,  what  were  you  going  to  say?  " 

"  Particularly  if —  "  said  he,  nonplused  because  lone 
had  not  fallen  into  the  snare  he  had  laid  for  her,  and  fear- 
ing to  betray  his  utter  ignorance  of  what  she  meant,  and 
only  intending  to  be  witty,  stammered  again, — "  Particu- 
larly if  it  calls  in  question  our  —  our  —  What  word  shall 
I  use,  Miss  lone  ;  can't  you  help  a  fellow  ?  " 

"  Get  Lieutenant  Storme  to  help  you,  he  is  in  the  ethi- 
cal department.  I  never  was  felicitous  in  expressing  my 
own  thoughts. 

Lieutenant  Storme  laughed,  pleased  to  see  Lieutenant 
Mera  fairly  matched.  lone,  never  doubting  that  her  aunt 
had  told  him  something,  and  fearing  that  something  was  as 
wide  of  the  mark  as  usual,  dared  not  commit  herself. 

"  Help  me,  Storme." 

"  Certainly,  certainly,  —  deliquescence  —  calls  in  ques- 
tion our  deliquescence;  that  will  do." 

They  laughed,  and  at  that  juncture  the  gallant  boys  in 
grey  came  into  the  hall. 
5 


98  Tactics;  or, 


"  LESSON    FOURTH." 

"  Firings" 

Lieutenant  Smith  whispered  to  lone,  "  The  fourth  cadet 
is  Smith,  Miss  lone." 

She  looked  at  him  just  in  time  to  catch  one  glimpse  of 
recognition,  but  no  bow.  Not  a  moment  did  she  lose  sight 
of  him,  even  the  entrance  of  her  aunt,  who  touched  her 
shoulder  as  she  seated  herself  behind  her,  did  not  attract 
her  notice.  Cadet  Smith's  horse  Avas  very  vicious  —  one 
he  had  chosen  —  as  their  standing  entitled  the  young  men 
to  a  choice  —  among  the  high-bred  animals  this  important 
Post  always  commands.  He  rode  well,  took  the  ring  eve- 
ry time,  cut  the  heads  with  a  will,  and  his  "  firings  "  were 
terrible  to  the  unstrung  nerves  of  the  uninitiated  lone. 
Two  cadets  were  thrown,  but  she  did  not  show  much 
alarm  until  his  horse,  on  starting  out,  reared,  plunged, 
reared  again,  and  fell,  falling  on  Mr.  Smith.  The  dra- 
goons soon  brought  the  horse  to  his  feet,  but  poor  Cadet 
Smith  lay  senseless.  The  cavalry  officer  ordered  a  litter 
brought,  and  he  was  lifted  like  a  dead  man,  and  taken 
from  the  hall. 

lone  had  risen  at  first,  and  now  stood  holding  by  the 
iron  railing,  as  white  as  marble.  Not  one  sound  escaped 
her  lips  until  most  of  the  people  were  gone,  she  then  ask- 
ed in  a  suffocated  tone,  "  Do  you  think  he  is  killed  ?  " 

"  No,  Miss  lone ;  pretty  seriously  injured  though,  I 
imagine  ;  shall  we  go  ?  " 

"  Where  is  Viola  ?     I  have  not  seen  her." 

"  She  has  just  left  your  side,  with  Lieutenants  Saberin 
and  Mera." 

They  left  the  hall,  but  her  aunt  and  her  escort  were  far 
up  the  hill,  so  they  did  not  overtake  them  before  they  were 
at  the  hotel.  At  the  door,  Lieutenant  Stonne  left  lone, 
saying  he  was  sorry  their  afternoon  should  have  commenced 
and  ended  under  such  unpleasant  circumstances." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  99 


"  LESSON    FOURTH." 

"  Cease  Firing-." 

lone  went  to  her  room,  the  little  sanctum,  to  think  over 
with  astonishment,  the  unaccountable  changes  she  saw  in 
people,  each  day  ;  and  wept  over  those  changes,  and  offer- 
ed fervent  petition  to  Heaven,  that  she  might  be  a  stead- 
fast friend  and  discreet  woman.  She  found  Cadet  Smith 
a  dead  weight  on  her  heart.  She  was  anxious  to  know 
how  severely  he  was  injured.  She  took  off  the  brilliant 
dress  she  had  put  on  with  such  pleasure,  folded  it,  and  put 
it  in  her  trunk,  wishing  never  to  see  it  again,  she  put  on 
a  black  one,  which  Viola  had  begged  her  not  to  wear 
again,  as  it  made  her  look  like  a  sister  of  charity  or  a  wi- 
dow. She  looked  like  both,  as  with  her  hair  drawn  back 
in  bands,  her  plain  collar  and  sable  robe,  she  descended  to 
the  piazza,  where  she  found  Viola,  talking  with  a  lady 
friend  about  the  party.  "  What  should  they  wear,  who 
should  they  see  ?  "  Mrs.  Bobaline  said, 

"  Well,  lone,  have  you  gone  into  mourning  because  Ca- 
det Smith  was  thrown  from  his  horse  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Viola,  have  you  heard  if  he  is  alive  ?  " 

"  Why  did  you  take  off  that  lovely  dress  ?  you  always 
choose  such  unbecoming  dresses  to  wear  to  parade." 

"  Please  don't  chide  me,  did  I  not  dress  within  an  inch 
of  my  life,  to  go  out  with  Colonel  Storme  ?  " 

"  I  think  you  are  looking  very  saintly,"  said  Miss 
Priest.  "  What  will  you  wear  to  Mrs.  Colde's  party  ?  " 

I  don't  know  what ;  I  have  some  dresses  mamma  pack- 
ed for^ne." 

Miss  Priest  looked  as  if  she  did  not  believe  her.  "  When 
she  decides,  you  must  make  her  show  it  to  me,  Mrs.  Bob- 
aline  ;  her  dresses  are  so  unlike  ours,  they  have  quite  an 
oriental  air  about  them."  With  this  elegant  compliment, 
Miss  Priest  said  good  morning  to  them. 

Alone ;  Mrs.   Bobaline   looked   lone   full  in  the  face. 


100  Tactics;  or, 

"  lone,  what  made  you  tell  Lieutenant  Mera  what  I  said 
to  you  this  morning  about  cadets  and  officers  ?  " 

"  What  you  said  ?  I  never  told  him  one  word.  He 
came  to  me  and  said  you  were  afraid  I  was  offended  at 
your  last  remark,  and  was  in  search  of  me.  I  only  said 
you  could  not  think  I  was  angry,  as  you  meant  it  all  for 
my  good.  The  conversation  then  turned  into  a  joke,  and 
nothing  more  was  said. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  seemed  annoyed.  Mera  had  shown  him- 
self very  acute,  for  from  her,  instead  of  lone,  he  had 
elicited  the  entire  conversation.  lone  laughed,  and  begged 
her  not  to  mind,  but  come  out  to  parade. 

"  O'er  the  battalion  like  a  tent, 
Cloudy-ribbed  the  sunset  bent, 
Purple-curtained,  fringed  with  gold, 
Looped  in  many  a  wind-swung  fold. 
While  for  music,  came  the  play  " 
Of  West  Point's  glorious  orchestra." 

lone  felt  that  she  must  learn  how  her  injured  friend 
was,  and  hoped  to  hear,  from  some  of  the  cadets,  before 
parade  was  over. 

"  Position  of  the  tivo  Ranks  in  the  Oblique  Fire  to  the 

Right." 

Mrs.  Bobaline  went  to  speak  to  some  friends,  and  left 
lone,  in  West  Point  parlance,  "  supporting  a  tree."  A 
party  took  their  station  in  front  of  her  ;  they  were  talking 
of  the  terrible  accident  which  happened  in  the  riding-hail. 
One  very  pretty  girl  said,  "  Yes,  he  was  my  favorite  ca- 
det. Last  year  he  was  very  polite  to  me,  escorted  me 
everywhere,  and  to  think  of  just  getting  here  in  time  to 
see  him  killed,  is  too  aggravating.  He  saw  me,  and  bow- 
ed so  sweetly."  Her  party  seemed  quite  interested,  un- 
til she  came  to  the  sweet  smile,  when  they  all  laughed. 
She  blushed,  and  asked  if  her  father  had  heard  how  much 
he  was  injured.  He  said  he  had  not,  but  would  ask  the 
surgeon  when  he  saw  him.  "  Do,  papa,  there  he  comes, 
now." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  101 

On  being  questioned,  the  surgeon  said  he  could  not  give 
a  definite  decision  ;  he  was  badly  hurt,  but  reckoned  he 
would  not  die,  and  glancing  at  the  young  lady's  interested 
face  said,  "  He  seems  to  have  some  one  to  live  for." 

The  ladies  begged  to  know  what  he  said ;  but  he  replied 
very  pompouslv.  O,  but  doctor,  did  he  mention  any 
names  ?  just  tell  me  the  name !  "  persisted  the  girl. 

"  No,  no,  Miss,  I  cannot  tell  the  name  I  It  might  be 
yours,  and  it  might  not ;  and  I  fear  he  would  not  thank 
me  in  either  case,  if  he  got  well." 

That  "  {/""  sank  deep  into  lone's  heart.  The  conso- 
lation of  knowing  that  she  had  not  offended  him,  was  de- 
nied her.  "  Too  late  !  "  she  murmured.  "  He,  poor  fel- 
low, lies  raving  of  some  one  he  loves,  and  they  are  far 
away  ;  no  one  but  strange  men  to  take  care  of  him  !  " 
She  shivered  at  the  thought.  She  sought  her  aunt,  and 
saw  her  walking  toward  barracks  with  her  friends.  lone 
strolled  toward  the  hotel,  round  the  little  path  that  winds 
on  the  brow  of  the  hill ;  she  left  the  direct  one  to  avoid  the 
file  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  slowly  wending  their  way  up  to 
tea.  She  lingered  to  look  at  the  lovely  sunset  clouds,  the 
dark  mountains,  the  pretty  little  village  buried  in  the  bo- 
som of  the  hills  —  the  island  home  of  the  gifted  ones  — 
which  brought  visions  of  another  little  struggling  heroine, 
in  the  "  Wide,  Wide  World,"  to  lone's  mind.  As  she 
stood,  all  became  quiet.  The  cadets  had  gone  to  their 
noisy  "  mess,"  the  band,  with  their  glittering  instruments, 
the  drum-major's  nodding  plume  and  measured  tread  had 
descended  below  the  hill,  the  officers'  quarters  opened  to 
admit  the  groups  of  chatting  friends  ;  and  the  hotel  had 
received  into  its  brilliantly  lighted  hall,  and  its  dimly 
lighted,  but  dangerous  piazza,  the  many ;  and  lone  stood 
alone,  wondering  that  she  was  not  happier,  or  rather  why 
she  was  so  miserable,  where  there  was  so  much  that  was 
beautiful,  to  admue.  She  turned,  surveyed  the  plain,  and 
saw  the  twinkling  lights  that  sparkled  beneath  the  trees, 
in  front  of  the  fine  quarters,  and  wondered  if  it  were  joy- 
ful and  happy  within  those  walls,  as  they  appeared  a  few 


102  Tactics;  or, 

moments  before,  at  that  beautiful  spectacle, —  the  evening 
parade.  Should  she  like  to  dwell  there?  Who  with? 
She  did  not  "  hand  in  "  the  answer  to  the  superintendent. 

"  Position  of  the  two  Ranks,  in  the  Oblique  Fire  to  the 

Left." 

As  lone  approached  the  hotel,  the  sound  of  cheerful 
voices  on  the  piazza,  the  light  streaming  from  windows  and 
doors,  and  music  and  laughter,  greeted  her,  and  she  sighed, 

"  Leave,  if  thou  would'st  be  lonely, 

Leave  Nature  for  the  crowd  ; 
Seek  there  for  one,  one  only, 
With  kindred  mind  endowed." 

Some  one  at  her  side  continued : 

"  Heart-wearied  thou  wilt  own, 
Vainly  that  phantom  woo'd, 
That  thou  at  least  hast  known, 
What  is  true  solitude  !  " 

She  recognized  Lieutenant  Saberin's  voice  and  fine 
form,  in  the  deepening  twilight.  She  smiled,  and  asked, 
"  Did  your  lady  love  teach  you  that,  Lieutenant  Saberin  ?" 

"  My  lady  love  !  '  From  early  youth  War  has  my 
mistress  been,  and  though  a  rugged  one,  I'll  constant 
prove,  and  not  forsake,  e'en  now  ! ' 

"  Surely  you  love  some  one  better  than  War,  do  you 
not?" 

"  O,  no !  Minerva  will  not  have  a  rival.  When  you 
swear  allegiance  to  her,  all  other  idols  must  be  dethroned." 

"And  where  comes  in  a  mother's  love?" 

"  My  mother? 

Already  for  her  son  her  tears  of  bitterness 
Are  shed.     When  first  I  had  put  on  the  livery 
Of  blood,  she  wept  me  dead  to  her  !  " 

"  How  heartless  !  " 

"  Southey  said  it,  Miss  lone ;  I  only  echo  it !  " 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Stiaps,  103 

Well,  I  shall  echo  Proctor : 

'  I  hate  the  camp, 

'  I  hate  its  noise,  its  stiff  parades,  its  blank 
And  empty  forms,  and  stately  courtesy, 
Where  between  bows  and  blows,  and  smile,  and  stab, 
There's  scarce  a  moment.     Soldiers  always  live 
In  idleness  or  peril.     Both  are  bad.'  " 

And  I  expect  thai  Miss  Tone's  '  I  hate  the  camp,'  will 
end  as  Theodora's  '  I  hate  the  soldiers  '  did  ;  and  I  shall 
see  you  encamped  around  by  stiff  parades  and  empty 
forms,  and  loving  them  as  much  as  I." 

She  laughed  :  "  Do  you  know  that  I  am  dreadfully  him- 

g'7?" 

u  Poor  Miss  lone  !     May  I  not  take  you  in  to  tea  ?  " 

She  declined,  but  he  insisted,  and  they  entered  the  glar- 
ing hall  together.  The  picture  was  scarcely  inferior  to 
the  one  just  left.  The  beautiful  young  girls,  the  elaborate- 
ly attired  matrons,  the  gay  uniforms  and  fine  figures  of  the 
officers  intermingled,  formed  a  most  charming  tableau  vi- 
vant !  The  supper  table  was  almost  deserted,  and  they 
seated  themselves  at  the  north  end  of  the  ta'ble,  so  that 
they  could  look  up  the  river  and  see  the  beautiful  moonlit 
clouds.  lone  was  too  intent  on  her  supper,  and  content 
with  her  fascinating  companion,  to  see  the  envious  glances 
of  mammas  and  daughters,  as  their  promenades  caused  them 
to  pass  and  repass  the  doors  and  windows  ;  but  Lieutenant 
Saberin  saw  it,  and  felt  that  if  he  was  not  making  a  very 
deep  impression  on  lone,  he  was  on  the  spectators. 

After  she  had  satisfied  her  West  Point  appetite,  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin  proposed  a  promenade  on  the  piazza.  As 
they  arose  she  percieved,  for  the  first  time,  that  they  were 
not  unobserved,  and  laughingly  said  "  others  have  enjoyed 
our  tete-a-tete  as  much  as  we  ;  why  did  you  not  close  the 
door?" 

"  I  was  very  unselfish,  I  opened'  the  window,  that  you 
might  enjoy  the  divine,  and  left  the  door  open  that  others 
might  have  the  same  privilege." 

She  walked  in  silence  at  his  side  for  a  few  moments,  he 


104  Tactics;  or, 

asked  if  she  was  going  to  Lieutenant  Colde's  party.  She 
said  yes,  she  thought  she  would.  He  asked  if  he  might  es- 
cort her  thither,  as  Lieutenant  Mera  intended  proffering 
his  services  to  Viola.  She  hesitated,  then  accepted,  but 
thought  how  will  Viola  like  this  ?  What  can  have  made 
him  ask  me,  and  Lieutenant  Mera  to  ask  her?  I  know  she 
does  not  want  him,  and  am  still  surer  this  fine  gentleman 
cares  nothing  for  me.  If  I  only  had  the  power  to  divine 
their  motives ! 

While  she  was  occupied  with  these  thoughts,  Lieuten- 
ant Saberin  was  equally  busy.  What  a  queer  little  char- 
acter this  is  ;  she  must  be  perfectly  indifferent  to  me,  she 
accepts  my  invitation  as  a  matter  of  course,  and  will  not 
take  the  trouble  to  converse.  "  I  wonder  if  she  is  rich  ?  " 
He  glanced  down  at  the  slight  figure  at  his  side,  the  glossy 
hair,  the  rich  bands,  the  high  white  brow,  the  exquisite 
mouth  and  chin,  the  round  white  throat  encircled  by  the 
spotless  linen  collar,  caught  by  a  cross  of  diamonds. 
"  Strange  !  "  murmured  he,  caught  by  the  same  thing, 
"  that  I  should  not  have  noticed,  that  she  can  be  no  ple- 
beian." 

Sure  enough.  The  beautiful  ornament  glowed  like  a 
lunary  rainbow  in  the  moonlight,  while  the  sweeping  folds 
of  her  black  dress,  gave  her  the  high-born  air  he  had  bur 
that  moment  detected.  "  There  is  none  of  the  plebeian 
about  the  graceful  bend  of  that  intellectual  head,  and  dig- 
nified carriage  of  those  pretty  shoulders  ;  and  if  not  rich, 
she  is  certainly  high-born." 

Piqued  by  her  silence,  he  went  on,  "  What  the  deuce 
do  I  care  ;  she  can't  compare  with  regal  Pauline  !  "  But, 
Lieutenant  Saberin  !  is  not  this  little  black-robed  image 
the  first  woman  that  ever  treated  such  advances  as  you 
have  made,  with  such  indifference  ?  "  Yes,  but  she  shall, 
she  must  be  conquered,  she  must  recognize  my  claims  to 
every  woman's  devotion." 

"  Commence  Firing" 
Lieutenant  Saberin  was  not  accustomed  to  Tone's  man- 


~!^ 

Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  105 

ner  in  a  woman,  and  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to 
turn  her  perfect  ease  and  self-possession  into  bashful  timid- 
ity, at  a  look  of  admiration  from  him.  lone  spoke  first. 

"  A  penny  for  your  thoughts,  Lieutenant  Saberin." 

"  What  was  Miss  lone  thinking  of?  Her  thoughts  will 
be  Avorth  repeating ;  while  my  gloomy  cogitations  could 
give  little  pleasure  ;  please,  Miss  lone !  " 

She  paid  little  heed  to  the  killing  manner  this  was  said 
in,  but  answered  without  reserve,  "  I  was  thinking  wheth- 
er we  would  be  the  happier  if  we  knew  the  motives  that 
pompt  every  act ;  and  if  our  esteem  for  each  other's  char- 
acters would  be  raised  thereby,  if  we  knew  the  why  of 
all  their  acts  ?  " 

"  You  would  be  infinitely  happy  in  such  a  case  ;  you  do 
not  doubt  motives  surely  !  "  drawled  he  affectedly,  as  one 
would  with  a  forward  child.  She  did  not  notice  it. 

"  Well,  please  tell  me  why  you  invited  me  to  go  with 
you  to  Mrs.  Colde's  party,  and  not  Viola  ?  " 

"  Simply,  because  I  wish  the  pleasure  of  your  society  ! 
motive  —  Selfishness  underscored  !  " 

"  I  think  that  is  nearly  always  the  ruling  motive,  with 
gentlemen  ?  Is  it  not  ?  yet  Wordsworth  says,  '  It  is  a  joy, 
to  think  the  best  we  can  of  human  kind.'  ' 

He  looked  down  tenderly  at  her,  and  said  with  mock 
humility,  "  Will  not  Miss  lone  begin  by  thinking  the  best 
she  can  of  me  ?  " 

She  felt  the  glance,  but  ere  its  influence  had  formed  the 
tender  reply,  she  thought  of  "  she's  ambitious,  Mera !  she's 
ambitious  !  "  and  turned  away  her  head. 

"  The  best  I  can  ?     O  yes,  that  is  not  asking  much  !  " 

He  stopped,  and  leading  her  to  the  edge  of  the  piazxa 
where  the  moonlight  shone  on  her  face,  he  leaned1  his 
elbow  on  the  railing,  his  head  on  his  hand,  and  looked  in- 
to her  face  with  his  peculiar  smile,  while  he  scrutinized 
her  closely.  She  bore  it  bravely,  looking  off  on  the  river, 
as  if  she  was  unconscious  that  his  eyes  rested  on  her.  He 
said : 

"  So,  I  am  not  asking  much  !  It  may  be  more  than 
5* 


106  Tactics;  or, 

you  think,  Miss  lone,  it  might  be  more  than  even  I  could 
wish  !  " 

The  color  went  and  came  in  her  cheek  during  these  re- 
marks, her  eyes  flashed,  then  fell  beneath  his  bold  look, 
she  dared  not  trust  herself  to  reply,  she  felt  paralyzed,  had 
not  the  power  to  raise  her  eyes,  but  stood  a  marble  imper- 
sonation of  helpless  indignation. 

Perhaps  it  was  well  she  did  not  look  at  him,  for  he 
never  looked  better,  his  black  eyes  blazed  like  two  small 
torches,  his  high  white  brow,  partly  shaded  by  his  cap,  be- 
neath which  lay  the  dark  clustering  curls,  dashes  of  silver 
light  on  them,  where  they  were  touched  by  the  moon-light, 
liis  graceful  attitudes  —  all  would  have  captivated  the  imag- 
ination of  the  young  girl.  She  did  not  see,  she  only  felt 
this  and  trembling  for  her  own  weak  heart,  she  almost 
flew  from  his  side  along  the  piazza,  through  the  hall,  up  to 
her  room  ;  he  slowly  followed,  and  as  she  vanished,  he 
said  in  his  sweetest  tones,  "  Good-night,  Miss  lone." 

In  his  retreat,  he  met  the  Colonel,  "  O,  Saberin  ;  you 
are  just  the  one  I  want ;  Storme,  and  Burlyton,  and  I.  are 
going  round  to  Dumpain's,  and  we  want  you  to  go  with 
us." 

"  Thank  you,  Colonel,  I  have  letters  to  write,  and  my 
lessons  this  evening,  and  I  must  be  excused." 

"  Never  mind  the  letters  and  the  lessons,  come  alonij, 
Saberin  ?  " 

"  Indeed  Colonel,  it  is  simply  impossible,  this  evening." 
in  such  a  tone  that  the  Colonel  left  him,  and  he  set  <>tf'  for 
barracks,  thinking,  "  I  have  found  a  hard  case  to  subdue, 
and  I  fear  she  will  be  still  harder  to  dispose  of  after  she  is 
won,  but  entirely  too  fascinating  to  be  let  alone.  I'll 
play  off  against  Mera,  and  be  magnanimous,  and  sacrifice 
my  happiness  to  his!  That  will  be  all  right — afford  me 
a  little  pastime,  and  get  Mera  a  nice  little  wife,  and  lone  a 
fine  husband." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  107 


"  FIRE  BY  RANK." 
MRS.  COLDE'S  PARTY. 

lone  had  not  heard  from  Cadet  Smith  since  the  conver- 
sation at  parade,  and  was  every  day  and  hour  more  anx- 
ious to  know  his  true  condition.  Wednesday  morning  she 
concluded  she  would  take  a  walk  down  to  the  hospital,  to 
get  something  for  a  headache,  from  the  steward,  and  casu- 
ally inquire  after  the  young  gentleman  that  was  hurt  ir 
the  riding  hall. 

After  giving  her  something  for  her  own  affliction,  the 
polite  steward  informed  her  that  the  young  man  was  a  lit- 
tle better,  but  still  very  bad.  Her  aching  head  was  about 
in  the  same  condition,  —  it  certainly  felt  less  tight  about 
the  temples,  when  she  knew  that  he  was  neither  dead  or 
dying  !  She  would  send  to  New  York  and  get  him  some 
flowers,  they  would  cheer  his  solitude.  The  question  now 
was,  how  and  when  could  she  get  them  ?  She  had  heard 
her  aunt  speak  of  Mrs.  Simpson  as  a  "  good  angel  "  in 
all  cases  of  tribulation,  and  she  did  not  stop  till  an  ar- 
rangement was  made  with  the  good  lady,  to  send  for  them 
that  very  afternoon  ;  they  should  come  as  if  for  lone  to 
take  to  the  party.  lone  knew  that  Viola  would  be  asleep 
at  that  hour,  and  she  should  have  a  grand  opportunity  to 
send  them. 

At  half-past  three  Viola  sent  lone  to  her  room  to  ar- 
range her  dress  for  the  evening,  but  she  sat  waiting  for  her 
flowers  till  four  o'clock,  without  giving  her  dress  one 
thought.  They  came,  —  the  beautiful,  bright  messengers 


108  Tactics:  or, 

of  love  and  good  wishes  —  thanks  to  the  indefatigable  Mrs. 
Simpson !  She  sat  and  worshipped  them,  and  blessed 
Mrs.  S.  Such  rosebuds,  heliotropes,  lilies  of  the  valley, 
geraniums,  calycanthus  !  Were  there  ever  such  clusters 
of  sweetness  mingled  before  ?  No,  clearly  no !  Her 
trembling  hands  arranged  them  in  a  box,  directed  them  to 
"  Cadet  Smith,  Hospital,"  the  air  was  intoxicating  with 
their  fragrance.  The  boy  was  dispatched  with  them  and 
she  found  it  parade  time.  She  hastily  snatched  one  dress 
after  another  from  the  trunk,  and  chose  a  rich  cherry 
silk,  trimmed  with  golden  flowers.  She  thought,  it  is  very 
bright,  but  Viola  says  this  is  my  first  appearance,  and  she 
did  not  wish  to  be  ashamed  of  me.  Lieutenant  Saberin 
is  so  very  grand,  he  will  subdue  it.  She  ran  down  to  tea, 
and  found  Viola  already  there,  talking  to  Lieutenant  Mera, 
who  drew  a  chair  near  him  for  lone. 

"  So  you  are  one  of  the  sensible  young  ladies,  who  can 
eat  if  they  are  going  to  a  party." 

She  replied,  "  It  takes  more  than  a  party  to  spoil  my  ap- 
petite." » 

"  Yet  you  seem  greatly  elated." 

"  Yes,  but  it  is  not  the  party." 

"  The  escort !  "  said  Mrs.  Violetta. 

"  It  requires  a  woman  to  penetrate  her  sex,"  said  Lieu- 
tenant Mera. 

lone  blushed  deeply,  and  said,  "  At  fault  for  once,  Vio- 
la. Judge  not." 

The  eyes  of  Lieutenant  Mera  rested  on  her,  as  if  they 
would  fain  have  penetrated  the  secret  joy  so  apparent  on 
her  face.  Tea  over,  they  went  to  walk  on  the  piazza,  and 
met  Cadet  Allen.  "  O,  Mr.  Allen  !  how  is  poor  Cadet 
Smith  ?  " 

"  Poor  Cadet  Smith  !  why,  Miss  lone,  he  is  the  richest 
fellow  in  the  corps  to-night,  any  of  us  would  change  places 

fladly,  with  him, —  a  wealth  of  flowers  !     Such  a  friend  as 
e  must  have  !  " 

"  Who  may  his  kind  friend  be  ?  "  she  asked,  assuming 
great  indifference. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  109 

"  Of  course  there  was  no  name  to  it,  but  I  think  he 
suspects  Miss  Arnold  ;  he  murmured  something  like  '  dear 
kind  Lizzie  !  ' 

"  Miss  Arnold  ! "  exclaimed  lone,  and  her  voice  trem- 
bled a  little  in  spite  of  her  disguised  tone. 

u  Perhaps  he  thought  of  her  because  he  wished  it  to 
come  from  her,  there  was  not  a  clue  to  them,  no  name," 
said  he. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  laughed. 

"  The  more  fool  she  !  " 

"  I  wish  I  knew  the  sender,  any  way,  I  would  cultivate 
her  acquaintance,"  cried  he,  and  bowed  himself  away. 

lone  was  mechanically  saying,  "  Yes,  it  may  be  so," 
when  Mrs.  Maryglot,  who  seemed  to  be  omnipresent,  cer- 
tainly always  near  enough  to  join  in  any  conversation  go- 
ing forward,  whether  on  the  north  or  south  piazza,  either 
parlor  or  hall,  now  smirked  up  to  lone,  and  whispered 
loud  enough  for  every  one  to  hear,  "  Never  purchase  love 
or  friendship  by  gifts ;  when  thus  attained,  they  are  lost  as 
you  stop  payment." 

lone  started.  Mrs.  Bobaline  said,  "  What  do  you  mean, 
Mrs.  Maryglot  ?  certainly  not  that  lone  sent  the  flowers  ?  " 

That  lady  saw  she  had  gone  too  far,  and  replied,  "  O, 
only  a  little  good  advice." 

lone  saw  she  knew  more  than  she  chose  to  tell,  and  re- 
solved to  question  her  little  flower-porter,  Mike.  She  as- 
cended to  dress,  but  was  not  long  making  her  toilet,  and 
looked  very  lovely.  A  golden  butterfly  with  ruby  wings 
caught  back  her  glossy  hair  on  one  side,  to  all  appearances 
ready  to  take  flight,  and  leave  the  rich  waves  to  veil  her 
completely. 

Viola  sent  to  Tone's  room  to  say  Lieutenant  Mera  was 
waiting,  and  it  was  quite  late  ;  Lieutenant  Saberin  had  not 
come,  would  she  go  with  them  ? 

She  would  go  with  them,  and  soon  appeared,  hooded 
and  cloaked.  She  thought  it  very  strange  that  he  was 
late,  but  never  imagined  that  he  would  not  come  at  all. 

Mrs.  Lieutenant  Colde's  quarters  looked  very  brilliant 


110  Tactics;  or, 

that  night.  Her  own  good  taste  and  discrimination  in  her  in- 
vitations, gave  her  parties  an  eclat  that  rivalled  all  com- 
petition. She  only  invited  those  she  wanted, —  the  lions,  the 
brilliant,  the  witty,  the  rich,  the  showy,  and  those  she  dare 
not  leave  out.  lone  was  delighted  with  the  glitter.  Mrs. 
Bobaline  was  proud  to  say,  "  She  's  my  husband's  niece, 
from  South  Carolina,"  —  she  had  heard  lone  say  she  was 
born  in  Charleston.  She  was  secretly  pleased  with  lone 
for  not  caring  that  Lieutenant  Saberin  had  not  come  for 
her,  remembered  the  happy  face  at  tea,  and  the  flowers ; 
and  putting  that  and  this  together,  was  confident  she  was 
not  at  fault  now,  and  —  "  lone  liked  Cadet  Smith  !  " 

Lieutenant  Mera  thought  lone  a  vision  of  loveliness,  and 
so  thought  another  tall  individual  rather  elegantly  leaning, 
half  concealed  by  the  sweeping  folds  of  the  long  lace  cur- 
tains, that  draped  the  window.  He  was  talking  to  a  lady 
who  seemed  rapt,  but  not  too  much  so,  to  lose  sight  of  the 
handsome  Lieutenant  Mera  and  the  exquisite  Mrs.  Boba- 
line, and  draw  the  attention  of  his  lordship  to  them.  He 
looked  and  wondered  at  the  superb  dress  of  the  "  ambi- 
tious," young  lady.  He  was  surprised  to  see  her  fairly 
eclipse  the  "  regal  Pauline,"  her  joyous  face  told  the  vain 
man  that  her  heart  was  in  the  right  place,  and  not  out  skirm- 
ishing for  him.  His  eyes  followed  the  party  to  Mrs.  Colde, 
he  saw  a  yellow  light  gleam  from  the  hazel  orbs  of  the 
fashionable  Miss  Vera  Colde,  a  sister  of  the  Lieutenant, 
who  kept  a  strict  account  of  every  woman  entering  the 
lines  of  the  forces  stationed  at  that  post.  She  was  staring 
at  lone,  as  an  old  lady  would  at  a  comet,  seen  for  the  first 
time,  just  over  her  head,  "  as  if  her  soul  had  suffered  an 
eclipse !  " 

lone  released  Lieutenant  Mera,  who  danced  with  Mrs. 
Bobaline,  and  she  was  left  to  the  tender  mercies  of  Mi<s 
Vera  Colde. 

"  Have  you  been  long  on  West  Point,  Miss  Smith, 
have  you  ever  visited  it  before,  etc  ?  " 

lone  replied  in  the  most  innocent  and  courteous  manner ; 
and  when  Lieutenant  Mera  claimed  her  for  the  dance,  the 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  111 

interesting  Miss  Vera  knew  where  she  came  from,  who  she 
knew  here,  where  she  had  been,  and  nearly  everything 
she  knew  herself.  Each  question  was  followed  by  such  an 
eliciting  smile,  and  such  a  winning  "yes?"  like  a  "pa- 
tient fisher,  his  angle  trembling  in  his  hand,"  it  would  have 
wiled  Jonah  out  of  the  whale's  maw. 

"  Miss  lone,  you  dance  '  The  Lancers,'  of  course  ?  "  said 
Lieutenant  Mera  offering  her  his  arm.  She  took  it,  and  as 
they  moved  off  asked, 

"  Please  tell  me,  Lieutenant  Mera,  who  that  young  lady 
with  the  Vera  peculiar  name  is  ;  I  verily  believe  she  knows 
this  blessed  minute  more  about  me  than  I  know  about 
myself." 

"  O,  Miss  lone,  how  Vera  severe  !  that  is  one  of  our 
belles  ;  she  excels  in  the.  dance,  but  I  ought  to  have  warned 
or  saved  you  from  that  catechising  ;  we  all  succumb  to  her 
and  yield  up  all  our  hoarded  secrets,  as  tamely  as  the 
prey  of  the  famous  Miss  Ann  O.  Conder,  yields  their 
breath  !  " 

"  You  call  me  severe,  and  say  such  things !  " 

"  There  are  clouds  of  witnesses  to  corroborate  what  I 
say  ;  beware  !  " 

The  music  began,  and  lone  saw  Lieutenant  Storme  and 
Miss  Nora  Kearney  were  their  vis-a-vis.  Lieutenant  Mera 
bowed  to  lone,  and  then  to  Miss  Nora,  in  a  very  finished 
manner ;  and  lone  quite  delighted  him  with  her  grace  and 
knowledge  of  the  dance.  Lieutenant  Saberin,  still  unseen 
by  her,  watched  with  great  pleasure  the  glidings  of  the 
little  figure.  Could  she  possibly  forget  that  he  was  in 
existence  ?  Very  likely  ;  carried  away  by  the  novelty  of 
her  situation,  it  might  be  the  perfection  of  her  cunning  to 
pretend  not  to  see  him,  —  she  knew  he  was  there,  or  she 
would  be  looking  toward  the  door,  for  him.  She  would 
do  that  from  mere  curiosity  —  to  know  why  he  had  not 
come  for  her. 

The  laughing  nod  that  Lieutenant  Mera  was  just  then 
giving,  was  in  answer  to  Tone's  question,  "  Has  Lieutenant 
Saberin  come  yet  ?  " 


11!  Tactics;  or, 

"  Lieutenant  Saberin  is  here,  and  standing  at  the  ex- 
treme end  of  the  parlor,  conversing  with  Miss  Kate  Kear- 
ney, or  Miss  Tute,  or  some  one  —  but,  by  George  !  it  is  not 
you.  Shall  I  call  him  ?  "  and  he  bowed  low  before  her. 

She  was  amazed  at  the  dark,  flashing  eyes  he  raised  to 
her  face.  "  Certainly  not !  " 

He  offered  her  his  arm  for  a  promenade  in  the  hall.  As 
they  left  the  parlor  he  said,  "  Are  you  quite  content  here, 
so  far  from  your  home  ?  " 

She  sighed  a  very  little  sigh :  "  My  home,  my  home, 
my  happy  home  !  "  she  warbled  under  her  breath. 

"  Tell  me  about  your  home." 

"  There  is  very  little  to  tell,  Lieutenant  Mera.  My 
is  beautiful,  and  my  mamma  is  in  it  to-night  without 
her  lone,  and  I  am  a  little  homesick." 

"  Shall  I  take  you  to  Madame  Bobaline  ?  "  asked  he,  in 
his  measured  tones. 

"  Why,  no  !  You  are  very  funny,  Lieutenant  Mera  !  " 
laughed  she. 

"  Thank  you,  Miss  lone  !  are  funny  people  apt  to  make 
their  friends  home-sick  ?  " 

"  Queer,  I  mean  ;  you  have  not  made  me  home-sick." 

He  led  her  to  the  sofa  and  asked  her  to  excuse  him  a 
moment.  She  replied,  "  certainly,"  very  much  perplexed  by 
his  manner.  The  gay  Lieutenant  Storme  rushed  up, 
"  O,  Miss  lone,  make  me  the  happiest  of  .mortals,  by 
permitting  me  to  dance  with  the  loveliest  of  women !  " 
She  rose  and  made  a  very  low  courtesy  with  the  gravitv 
of  a  dowager-queen,  and  laid  her  hand  on  his  arm. 
She  felt  very  grateful  to  him  for  taking  her  just  then,  as 
she  thought  Lieutenant  Mera  had  to  resort  to  a  ruse  to 
get  rid  of  her  ;  and  while  watching  the  whirling  figures  in 
the  redowa,  was  feeling  that  she  was  a  stranger,  in  a 
strange  land. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  113 


"  1st.  Front  rank.     2d.  Aim.     2>d.  Fire.     ±th.  Load" 

Lieutenant  Mera  made  directly  for  Lieutenant  Alton. 
"  I  would  like  to  have  your  assistance  in  relieving  Saberin  ; 
I  would  like  to  introduce  him  to  a  friend,  and  he  has  been 
stuck  with  Miss  Bessie  Kearney  ever  since  he  came." 

"  3  tuck  !  I  am  not  sure  he  won't  knock  me  once  for  my 
officiousness.  How  do  you  know  he  would  like  to  be  reliev- 
ed ?  "  with  the  blandest  smile  in  his  light  blue  eyes. 

"  That's  not  the  subject  under  consideration  just  at  pres- 
ent, Lieutenant  Alton  ;  we  will  leave  that  for  a  collateral 
investigation,"  drawled  he  in  the  most  measured  tones,  as 
they  confronted  the  object  of  their  observation.  Miss 
Bessie  bowed  a  lovely  salute  to  the  young  gentlemen,  and 
thought  herself  a  belle.  Lieutenant  Alton  generously  un- 
dertook the  relief,  while  Lieutenant  Mera  stood,  and  did  ex- 
ecution with  his  eyes.  Lieutenant  Saberin  not  understand- 
ing anything  but  an  intrusion,  was  vexed  to  notice  the  pleas- 
ure Miss  Bessie  evinced,  at  the  addition  to  their  party  ;  but 
unwilling,  at  any  cost  to  his  feelings,  to  be  the  "  mournful 
third  "  in  any  place,  said  with  a  subdued  voice,  "  I  have 
been  very  selfish,  Miss  Bessie  !  "  and  left  her.  Lieuten- 
ant Mera  allowed  him  to  get  away  a  few  steps,  then  fol- 
lowed, "  O,  Saberin  !  I  would  like  to  introduce  you  to  a 
friend  of  mine,  if  you  have  no  objections." 

"  Certainly  not,  my  dear  fellow,  where  is  she  ?  " 

He  led  him  into  the  hall,  and  round  into  the  door  of  the 
front  parlor,  to  the  sofa.  They  confronted  my  lady  Mary- 
glot  seated  just  where  he  had  left  lone.  A  broad  smile 
played  over  Lieutenant  Saberin's  face,  —  Lieutenant  Mera 
muttered  "  Le  Diable  !  " 

"  Thank  you,"  said  Madam,  "  I  have  the  pleasure  of 
his  acquaintance !  "  Lieutenant  Saberin  threw  back  his 
head  and  gave  a  very  undignified  *'  Ha !  ha !  "  Lieuten- 
ant Mera  echoed  it  on  a  very  high  key. 

"  You  seem  amused  !     Think'st  thou,  I  could  live 

'  So  long  in  this  bright  Eden, 
And  not  know  its  master-spirit  ?  ' ' 

I 


114  Tactics;  or, 

"  Oh,  madam  !  "  said  Saberin,  "  How  would'st  thou  be, 

'  If  he  who  is  at  the  top  of  judgment,  should 
Judge  as  you  do  ?     Think  on  that :  and 
Let  ruercy  reason  justice  ! '  " 

Lieutenant  Mera  bowed  maliciously.  "  I  leave  you  in 
good  hands,  Lieutenant  Saberin,  I'll  bring  the  gentleman 
to  you."  Lieutenant  Saberin  did  not  know  that  he  intend- 
ed to  bring  him  to  lone,  but  saw  he  evidently  did  not  ex- 
pect to  see  Madam  Maryglot,  and  enjoyed  his  discomfiture 
very  much.  Mrs.  Marvglot  pulled  his  sleeve  as  he  seated 
himself  by  her,  "  Look  !  look  !  at  lone  Smith  dancing 
with  Lieutenant  Storme,  she  looks  like  an  houri ;  why  are 
you  not  dancing  with  her,  instead  of  getting  into  the 
clutches  of  Apollyon  ?  " 

"  Madam,  I  dare  not  trust  myself  near  the  blaze,  lest  I 
get  my  wings  singed  I  "  said  he  solemnly. 

"  Don't  like  that  red  dress  ?  "  She  exclaimed  indig- 
nantly, "  I  think  it  beautiful !  if  your  wings  get  no  worse 
singing  than  that  little  angel  would  give  them,  you  will 
have  to  be  shy  of  such  introductions  as  your  friend  gave 
you  a  few  moments  ago." 

"  I  could  face  the  cannon's  mouth,  with  my  friend's 
friend  as  the  artillery-officer,  easier  than  trust  my  untried 
soul  amid  such  dangers  !  "  cried  he  heroically. 

"  Where  were  the  glory  of  an  even  combat?  The  splen- 
dor of  a  victory  is  where  the  odds  are  fearfully  against 
one." 

'•  But,  Madam,  there  are  cases  where  a  victory  would 
be  a  vexation  of  soul,  and  it  would  be  more  manly  to  suf- 
fer defeat,  than  to  conquer  !  What  could  I  do  with  such 
a  prisoner  ?  " 

"  Imprison  her  in  your  heart's  core  ;  and  if  she  is  not  hap- 
py, hang  her  round  your  neck  !  " 

"  Mrs.  Maryglot,  /am  not  a  killing  man  !  Tell  all  this 
to  Lieutenant  Mera  ;  one  of  his  subduing  glances  would  en- 
slave her  for  life  !  "  His  eyes  followed  her  as  she  left  the 
parlor  with  Lieutenant  Storme.  "  You  know  where  the 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  115 

citadel  is  ably  garrisoned,  the  beauty  of  an  assailant  can- 
not effect  a  great  deal !  " 

Mrs.  Maryglot' s  curiosity  was  aroused.  "  Now  tell  me 
Lieutenant  Saberin,  have  you  a  sweet-heart  ?  and  is  this 
bona  fide  constancy  in  you  ?  " 

He  laughed  at  her  eagerness ;  "  Now  Mrs.  Maryglot,  is 
this  bona  fide  interest,  or  —  or  —  " 

"  Interest,  indeed  !  anything,  only  tell  me  !  Where 
does  she  live  ?  Who  is  she  ?  Rich,  I'll  wager." 

"  Yes,  Madam  !  rich  in  charms  ;  dark  and  royal  as  the 
queen  of  night !  A  Southern  bird  in  gold  and  purple 
plumage,"  said  he,  really  warmed  at  thought  of  Pauline. 

"  By  George  !  "  exclaimed  she  indignantly,  "  Not  a  kill- 
ing man  !  Gone  down  South  and  manacled  some  beauti- 
ful young  Creole,  and  come  back  here  with  your  eyes  full 
of  ink,  and  your  heart  full  of  ebon  tresses !  Now  I  give 
you  fair  notice,  if  I  see  you  pointing  the  smallest  of  your 
arrows  at  our  bird  of  paradise,  I'll  tell  her  about  your 
black  bird  bird  down  South." 

Lieutenant  Saberin  was  very  much  amused  with  Mrs. 
Maryglot,  and  would  have  lingered  by  her  side  a  good 
part  of  the  evening,  had  not  the  Colonel  come  and  be- 
seiged  him,  to  dance  with  a  stranger,  his  vis-a-vis.  He  found 
that  the  Colonel  was  dancing  with  lone.  The  young  lady 
to  whom  he  was  introduced  was  very  pretty ;  he  bowed  in 
the  most  formal  manner  to  lone,  never  addressing  one 
word  to  her,  but  executed  the  "  manual  of  arms  "  in  splen- 
did style,  with  his  partner. 

"  lone  did  not  slio\v  that  she  felt  this  treatment,  but 
there  was  a  little  rebellion  in  her  heart.  She  had  not 
studied  West  Point  Tactics,  and  the  damper  thus  thrown 
on  her,  made  her  spiritless,  while  Lieutenant  Saberin's 
partner,  kept  both  gentlemen  alive  with  her  sallies.  lone 
wished  herself  at  home  many  timeS  ;  and  when  the  march 
announced  supper,  the  Colonel  was  gone,  and  she  had  no 
escort,  and  was  nearly  alone  in  the  parlor,  when  Miss  Ve- 
ra  Colde  came  like  an  icicle,  to  her  side,  with  a  glare  of 
surprise,  offered  her  arm,  to  take  her  to  supper.  "  Yuu 


116  Tactics;  or, 

alone ! "  conveyed  as  much  as  lone  could  well  bear. 
They  entered  the  room,  she  found  a  seat  beside  Mrs. 
Brown,  and  Lieutenant  Burlyton  came  and  brought  them 
cream.  All  the  young  ladies  were  chatting  so  gaily  with 
agreeable  officers,  or  in  cheerful  groups,  but  lone  i'elt  alone. 
She  left  the  refreshment  room  with  Mrs.  Brown,  and  lis- 
tened to  a  sad  amount  of  gossip. 

At  length  Mrs.  Brown,  feeling  fatigued,  grasped  Lieu- 
tenant Brown  by  the  coat-tail  as  he  was  passing  her,  with 
one  of  the  professors,  to  the  supper  room  again  ;  and  insist- 
ed upon  being  taken  home  immediately.  They  went  with 
lone  to  Mrs.  Violetta  ;  Lieutenant  Mera  came  to  them,  and 
they  were  soon  on  their  way  home. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  was  very  quiet.  She  had  seen  nothing 
of  the  "  star  of  the  evening."  If  she  was  in  one  room, 
he  was  unavoidably  in  another, —  he  had  not  once  sought 
her.  lone  was  silent  too  —  fatigued,  and  angry  at  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin's  treatment  of  her.  Lieutenant  Mera  was 
enough  for  all.  He  had  evidently  fortified  his  spirits  with 
*'  seven  others,  more  wicked  than  himself."  His  tongue 
was  loosed,  and  his  usually  measured  tones  were  made  to 
skip  like  lambs.  He  made  love  to  lone,  and  fun  of  Mrs. 
Bobaline,  in  a  most  reckless  style.  Madam  did  not  deign 
a  reply,  and  attributed  his  behavior  to  the  right  cause, 
lone  paid  little  heed  to  his  flattery,  but  could  not  but  be 
amused  at  his  wit  and  brilliancy.  As  he  said  good  night 
he  took  a  rose-bud  from  his  coat  and  gave  it  to  lone,  say- 
ing very  gravely,  "  Well,  Miss  lone,  keep  this  in  remem- 
brance of  all  I  have  said  to  night.  I  have  meant  it  all." 
She  took  the  bud,  and  turned  to  follow  Violetta,  who  had 

fone  instantly  to  her  apartment,  when  he  whispered  "  Stay, 
liss  lone  !  here  are  a  pair  of  lovers,  sure  enough  !  "  She 
looked  and  saw  Lieutenant  Saberin  and  Madam  Maryglot 
coming  up  the  steps.  Madam  cried  out,  "  Contez-nous  je 
vous  prie,  ce  qui  s'est  fait  ?  "  "  Ce  n'est  pas  la  question 
a  faire  !  "  retorted  Lieutenant  Mera.  "Je  n'aime  pas,  cet 
homme-la,"  whispered  she,  aloud,  to  lone.  lone  replied, 
"  C'est  mon  meilleur  ami !  "  Lieutenant  Mera  bowed  to 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  117 

the  floor,  "  Votis  etes  bicn  bon !  "  "  Quel  dommage," 
sneered  the  old  l3dy.  "  Adieu,  jusqu  'au  revoir,"  said 
Lieutenant  Saberin,  in  a  very  melancholy  tone,  and  gave 
his  hand  to  lone.  She  courtesied  low  without  taking  it, 
and  went  up  stairs.  Mrs.  Maryglot  clung  to  her  dress,  vi- 
tuperating the  whole  affair,  in  every  known  tongue. 

"  Cease  Firing-." 

As  Tone's  door  closed  that  night,  it  shut  in  as  sad  a 
heart  as  could  be  imagined.  She  sat  down  on  the  side  of 
her  bed,  and  inquired  what  Lieutenant  Saberin  could 
mean.  How  could  he  behave  in  such  an  unmanly  man- 
ner ?  In  San  Francisco,  her  most  casual  acquaintance 
would  call  him  to  an  account  for  it.  Indeed,  in  any  civil- 
ized society  he  would  be  held  responsible.  She  would 
treat  every  man  on  West  Point  with  the  indifference  they 
deserved,  and  henceforth  she  would  look  to  something  else 
than  these  "  braves  "  for  her  happiness ;  and  she  threw 
the  bud  Lieutenant  Mira  had  given  her  in  such  a  spiteful 
way,  that  when  she  saw  it  disappear  in  the  toe  of  her  little 
slipper  at  the  side  of  the  bureau,  she  laughed  outright,  and 
took  it  out  tenderly,  and  told  the  pretty  thing,  that  it  was 
only  its  misfortune  to  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  a 
naughty  man,  she  would  put  it  in  water  for  its  own  sweet 
sake,  making  a  cologne-bottle  serve  as  a  vase.  Although 
Tone's  fit  of  vexation  ended  in  a  laugh,  she  was  none  the 
less  resolved  to  wage  war  with  the  braves  as  she  had 
named  the  officers,  and  the  very  determined  little  face  she 
confronted  in  the  toilet-glass  certainly  did  not  look  like 
forgetting  those  vows,  '  ere  the  dawn  of  the  morning  !  ' 


118  Tactics;  or, 


"  TO  FIRE  BY  RANK.     READY." 

lone  appeared  at  the  breakfast  table  in  her  most  becom- 
ing morning-dress.  She  did  not  wish  to  attract  anybody's 
attention,  no  indeed!  It  was  self  respect!  There  was 
not  a  smile  nor  even  a  look  of  recognition  for  those  she 
knew  at  table,  except  Mrs.  Maryglot.  This  was  very 
sweet,  to  shew  those  braves  what  they  had  forever  lost ! 
She  was  learning  life's  lesson  of  masking  her  best  features, 
as  a  miser  hides  his  gold.  The  bright  smile  drew  a  chair 
out  at  madame's  side,  and  in  a  very  motherly  tone,  "  How 
did  you  sleep,  my  dear  ?  " 

"  She  slept  well  enough,  but  dreamed  of  icebergs,  all 
night  I  " 

The  good  lady  replied  at  the  top  of  her  lungs,  "  I  fear 
my  dear,  you  are  finding  the  knight  airs  cold  here  !  " 

lone's  lips  curled  a  little,  and  she  said,  "  You  see  I  in- 
tend to  defy  them  ;  I  have  donned  my  "  aigis,"  and  she  drew 
a  superb  camel's-hair  victorine  closely  around  her  should- 
ers, the  long  white  waves  sweeping  over  her  white  arms 
and  blue  robe,  made  her  remind  you  of —  of —  well  —  of 
an  angel  with  her  wings  folded  on  her  breast,  but  I  most 
solemnly  aver  she  was  not  conscious  of  all  this.  She  only 
knew  that  she  felt  like  a  second  Minerva,  having  left  the 
"  hermit  pity  with  her  mother ;  had  her  armor  buckled 
on!" 

Surprised  that  Viola  was  nowhere  to  be  seen,  she  has- 
tened to  her  room,  and  found  her  still  in  bed.  As  she  ap- 
proached, Mrs.  Bobaline  cried  out  in  a  very-well  tone  of 
voice, 

"  Whose  is  that  superb  cape  ?  let  me  see  it,  lone  !  " 

She  threw  it  to  her  aunt.  "  It  is  mine  ;  are  you  sick 
Viola  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  have  an  awful  headache,  and  have  sent  for  my 
breakfast.  But  do  tell  me  where  you  got  this  from,  it  is 
the  most  elegant  thing  I  ever  saw." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  119 

lone  had  gone  to  the  window  to  see  the  braves  go  out 
from  breakfast.  She  did  not  turn,  but  laughing,  said,  "  O 
it  fell  to  me  from  —  the  clouds  ;  don't  you  see  how  fleecy  it 
is  ?  "  then  coming  up  lovingly,  "  but  dear  Viola,  you  are 
not  going  to  remain  in  bed  all  dav  ?  " 

"  Xo,  I  shall  get  up  bv  and  by.  Who  did  you  see  at 
the  table?" 

"  No  one  to  speak  to,  but  Madam  Maryglot  —  all  were 
there." 

Violetta  thought,  "  she  is  such  a  belle,  I  supposed  they 
would  have  besieged  her,  when  she  was  alone,''  and  the 
thought  that  no  one  came  to  speak  to  her,  nearly  drove 
away  madame's  vapors. 

"  O,  it  is  a  glorious  morning !  I  wish  you  were  well 
and  could  take  a  walk  with  me." 

"  Indeed,  I  cannot  to-day,  but  you  can  go  without  me. 
Change  the  book  from  the  library  and  get  another,"  said 
Mrs.  Bobaline  in  her  sickest  accents. 

"  That  will  be  pleasant ;  what  shall  I  get  for  you  ?  " 

I  do  not  care  for  any,  you  may  get  one  for  yourself." 

"  She  could  add  nothing  to  Viola's  comfort,  so  left  her 
t.'iij<>ying  a  cup  of  tea,  a  pyramid  of  toast,  and  three  boiled 
eggs.  As  she  went  out  Viola  said  "•  that  cape,  I  fear,  is 
too  dressy  for  the  morning,  have  you  no  plain  mantle  to 
wear?  " 

"  None  that  just  suits  me,  for  this  morning,  it  is  so  soft 
and  warm.  Good  morning,  Viola  !  " 

The  hall  she  found  full  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  a  num- 
ber of  her  cadet  friends  were  there,  they  were  going  to 
dance  in  the  parlor,  all  rushed  at  her  to  join  in  the  dance, 
lone  could  not  resist,  and  was  soon  mingling  with  all  her 
heart  in  the  merry  whirl. 

"Rear  Rank." 

Where,  but  at  West  Point,  could  you  find  the  gay 
belles  the  morning  after  a  party,  in  their  muslins  and  slip- 


120  Tactics;  or, 

pers,  at  tins  early  hour,  whirling  through  the  redowa,  and 
bosving  through  the  "  Lancers,"  with  all  the  airs  and  graces 
and  a  wealth  of  bright  smiles  thrown  in,  usually  attendant 
on  gas-light  alone.  What  wonder  the  cadet  returns  to 
the  tent  sighing  "  ever  of  thee,"  after  such  a  romp  with 
lassies  in  white  and  blue  muslin  wrappers,  lovely  in  real 
roses,  with  musical,  heartfelt  laughs,  and  the  acme  of  zests 
given  to  all,  that  they  could  not  stay  half  so  long  as  they 
wished.  Cadet  Allen  escorted  lone  to  the  library,  and  made 
her  promise  to  walk  wfth  him  at  four  o'clock.  She  re- 
membered Lieutenant  Storme's  advice,  "  These  young 
gentlemen  are  not  reliable  !  "  and  replied,  "  I'll  ask  Viola, 
and  if  you  come,  perhaps  !  "  she  said  laughing. 

"  If  I  come  ?  that's  odd."  She  made  no  explanation, 
he  gave  her  a  book  he  was  reading,  with  a  charming  story 
in  it  —  "  Lady  Lee's  Widowhood."  Lieutenant  Alton 
was  in  the  library,  and  followed  her  out,  and  walked  to  the 
hotel  with  her. 

"  1  Front  Rank.     2  Aim.     3  Fire.     4  Load:1 

And  at  five  p.  M.,  Viola  was  herself  again,  and  Cadet 
Allen  came.  lone  went  to  do  "  Flirtation,"  with  him. 
.  Returned  —  he  gave  her  an  introduction  to  Quartermaster 
Corridor,  his  particular  friend,  telling  her  he  must  leave 
her,  but  he  would  consign  her  to  his  friend,  to  whose  kind 
keeping  everything  precious  was  entrusted.  As  they  ap- 
proached the  seats,  she  saw  Viola  sitting  there,  and  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin  at  the  back  of  her  seat,  talking  to  her ; 
she  did  not  venture  near  the  two  people  she  wished  of  all 
others  to  avoid,  but  walked  on  down  the  front,  and  back 
to  "  Barracks."  Here  she  met  Madam  Maryglot. 

"  My  dear,  I  have  just  invited  Lieutenant  Mera  to  take 
us  down  to  the  famous  little  Chui'ch  of  the  Holy  Innocents, 
I  knew  you  had  never  been  there,  so  used  your  name, 
without  your  leave." 

"  I  am  very  glad  you  did,  I  should  so  like  to  go.     But 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps, 


why  ask  Lieutenant  Mera,  will  it  not  annoy  him  to  walk 
so  far  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  invited  him  to  walk,  but  to  ride,  my  dear, 
in  the  most  splendid  turn-out  West  Point  can  afford.  I 
think  his  highness  may  condescend  to  accompany  us  under 
those  circumstances." 

"  O,  how  kind  of  you  to  think  of  me." 

"  Not  at  all,  child !  '  They  that  do  an  act  that  does 
deserve  requital,  pay  —  first  themselves,  the  stock  of  such 
content.' '' 

lone  was  fast  becoming  sincerely  attached  to  Mrs  Mary- 
glot,  malgre  her  peculiarities.  If  she  felt  sad,  she  found 
herself  at  Madam  M.'s  side.  On  their  return  to  the  hotel 
Lieutenant  Burlyton  met  them  and  said,  "  There  is  to  be 
a  "  shin-dig "  down  at  Cozzens'  to-night,  and  I  will  do 
you  the  honor  of  taking  you,  in  an  omnibus,  Miss  lone,  if 
you  know  no  good  reason  why  I  should  not." 

She  thanked  him  —  would  go  if  Viola  went. 

*'  Of  course  Viola  is  going.  Did  I  not  hear  her  say, 
"  Thank  you,  Lieutenant  Saberin,  I  shall  be  delighted  ! " 
He  squealed  this  out,  pretending  to  mimic  Viola.  "  Come, 
Madam  Maryglot,  you  must  go  too  ;  we'll  show  you  how 
it 's  done  at  a.  fashionable  watering  place,  so  go  and  put  on 
your  best  bib  and  tucker ;  may  be  you  '11  catch  a  whale  !  " 

"  O,  do,  Madam  Maryglot !  "  cried  lone. 

"  Ah,  non  sum  qualis  eram,"  said  she  mournfully. 

"  What 's  that,  now  ?  "  said  lone. 

"  *  I  am  not  now  what  I  once  was,'  child  !  Why  do  you 
forget  your  Latin  ?  " 

"  Judicium  Dei,"  replied  Burlyton,  and  that  means  it  is 
God's  judgments  on  her." 

Here  she  flagellated  Lieutenant  Burlyton  in  Italian, 
German,  and  French,  selecting  the  choicest  phrases  she 
could  think  of ;  to  all  of  which  he  bowed  and  smiled  as  if 
she  were  complimenting  him,  in  the  most  polite  language. 

lone  rushed  off  to  dress,  delighted  that  she  was  to  go 
with  the  amusing  Lieutenant ;  she  had  come  to  like  him 


- 


Tactics;  or, 

far  better  than  any  of  the  officers.  The  beautiful  road 
that  wound  through  the  trees  down  to  the  home  of  the 
princely  Cozzens,  seemed  like  Chestnut  street,  it  was  so 
full  of  promenaders. 

They  all  gave  a  good-humored  smile  to  the  joyous  load 
in  the  omnibus.  The  hills  echoed  with  "  Benny  Havens 
O,"  "  Dixie's  Land,"  and  the  classic  strain  "  Pop  goes  the 
weasel !  "  The  gay  party  made  an  entrance  among  the 
fashionables  decorating  the  sofas  and  chairs  surrounding 
the  magnificent  saloon,  quite  surprising  to  behold.  Lieu- 
tenant Burlyton  skipped  up  the  steps,  as  if  he  were  as- 
saulting a  garrison.  "  Entre  deux  vins  ;  E  pluribus 
unuin  !  "  exclaimed  he,  hoisting  Mrs.  Maryglot  up  by  both 
elbows,  running  down  again  for  lone,  he  introduced  him- 
self and  her,  as  les  enfans  perdus  !  Mrs.  Maryglot  fell  into 
a  fit  of  laughter,  holding  her  sides,  while  a  continuous  fire 
of  oblique  glances  from  one  distinguished  group  to  the 
other,  queried,  "Are  these  an  importation  from  the  lunatic 
asylum  ?  "  Mr.  Cozzens  however  modified  their  terror  by 
giving  each  of  the  gentlemen  one  of  his  glorious  wel- 
comes. 

The  Colonel  had  in  his  care  a  superb  white  embroidered 
crape  dress,  tied  on  with  Solferino  sashes,  one  of  the  F.  F. 
D.  C's.  Lieutenant  Storme  consoled  himself  in  Nora 
Kearney's  absence  by  promenading  assiduously  with  a 
terrible  beauty  in  a  cloud  of  blue  lace.  Lieutenant  Bur- 
lyton danced  with  every  mother's  daughter  that,  smiled  at 
his  lively  sallies,  which  kept  him  busy,  as  he  told  lone  go- 
ing home.  Lieutenant  Saberin  promenaded  most  of  the 
evening  on  the  piazza  with  Mrs.  Bobaline,  inviting  lone  to 
dance  but  once,  quite  as  if  it  were  a  civility  he  owed  her 
on  her  aunt's  account.  Madam  Maryglot  did  catch  a 
whale,  a  real  spermaceti  —  one  that  had  engulphed  half  a 
dozen  ships,  and  swallowed  all  their  treasures  !  The  ride 
home  was  quite  as  musical  as  their  coming,  and  a  trifle  more 
boisterous. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps, 


123 


lone  was  awakened  by  the  band  playing  for  "  Inspect- 
ion." She  stood  at  her  window  listening  to  the  sweet  notes 
of  "  Stabat  Mater ;"  it  was  a  lovely  Sabbath  morning,  and 
the  revel  of  last  night  seemed  like  an  unholy  dream.  She 
made  many  good  resolutions,  and  among  others  that  anoth- 
er Sabbath  should  not  pass  disregarded  by  her,  she  would 
go  to  church.  She  descended  to  breakfast,  and  found  Vio- 
la sitting  talking  to  Mrs.  Maryglot,  who  had  jiist  invited 
her  to  ride  down  to  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Innocents, 
with  them  in  the  afternoon.  Mrs.  Bobaline  excused  herself, 
as  she  should  lose  her  "  nap." 

lone  asked  if  she  would  not  go  with  her  in  the  morning. 

"  No,  I  think  not,  I  was  up  so  late  last  night ;  if  you 
wish  to  go,  the  soldier  will  show  you  a  seat." 

"I  will  go,"  said  lone.  As  she  descended  to  the  piazza 
she  thought  "  oh,  if  my  mamma  were  only  here,  how  much 
we  would  enjoy  this  delightful  Sabbath-day  together. 
What  would  I  not  give  for  her  counsel  and  guiding  hand, 
in  this  maze  of —  I  know-not-what-to-do  !  Alone,  where  I 
most  need  a  friend.  Saddened  by  these  thoughts  she  stood 
looking  off  toward  the  plain,  slowly  pulling  on  her  gloves. 
She  heard  the  "  church  call,"  its  sweet  notes  echoed  among 
the  Academic  Halls,  and  adjacent  hills,  calling  many  wea- 
ry home-sick  ones,  and  many  a  reluctant  truant,  to  hear 


124  Tactics;  or, 

the  words  of  consolation,  of  counsel  and  warning.  Bentz, 
the  bugler,  vied  with  the  birds,  and  lone  thought  it  was  a 
pity  that  the  bugle  should  not  be  sounded  as  a  church  call 
in  all  churches.  She  saw  a  lady  on  the  path  before  her,  as 
she  descended  the  hotel  steps,  and  at  once  recognized  Mrs. 
Marvglot.  She  hastened,  and  joining  her,  they  entered  the 
chapel  before  the  battalion.  The  old  lady  stared  around 
her  as  if  she  was  in  a  museum,  quite  mortifying  lone,  by 
her  perfect  indifference  to  the  attention  she  was  attracting. 

"  Where  is  the  soldier  to  show  us  a  seat  ?  I  don't  see 
him,"  said  she  aloud.  "  There's  the  Colonel,"  she  contin- 
ued marching  up  the  centre  aisle,  "  He'll  give  us  a  seat." 
Hearing  his  name  mentioned  he  turned  and  saw  the  ladies, 
rose  and  motioned  them  round  to  his  seat.  Tone's  face  was 
scarlet  before  they  reached  the  polite  Colonel.  Madam 
stood  some  time  surveying  the  church,  then  seating  her- 
self, she  leaned  over  lone,  saying  to  the  Colonel,  "  I  see 
you  ape  the  English.  Who  is  that  man  and  woman,  over 
the  chancel  ?  "  meaning  the  painting  by  Weir.  Flere  the 
cadets  came  in,  and  she  sat  up  and  stared  in  dismay,  at 
the  shout  of  command  within  the  walls,  the  clang  of 
sword  and  bayonet,  the  tread  of  three  hundred  men,  as 
they  marched  to  their  seats.  She  asked  the  Colonel  as 
the  chaplain  came  in,  "  Is  it  customary  to  reserve  the 
best  seats  for  those  boys  ?  I  supposed  they  were  for  the 
superintendent's  family  and  other  distinguished  peopLe." 
The  cadets  that  heard  her,  laughed,  and  the  Colonel  eleva- 
ted his  shoulders,  and  looked  like  a  saint.  Her  investiga- 
tions did  not  cease  till  the  fine  voice  of  the  chaplain  re- 
sounded in  her  ears.  "  The  Lord  is  in  His  Holy  Tem- 
ple." 

She  was  greatly  impressed  with  his  fine  reading,  and 
whispered  to  the  Colonel  to  present  her  after  service. 
They  lingered  long  examining  the  painting.  She  won- 
dered if  a  mortal  could  be  admitted  to  his  studio.  The 
flags  —  they  had  their  right  place  —  were  they  arranged 
by  the  excellent  taste  of  the  Colonel  ? 

He  regretted  he  must  give  the  honor  where  it  was  due, 
';  To  an  artist  upholsterer  from  New  York." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  125 

"  I  was  in  hopes  I  could  compliment  your  taste  in  some- 
thing about  the  post,  Colonel ;  what  have  you  done  ?  " 

"  Here  ?  "  said  he  in  a  discomfited  tone. 

"  Anywhere,  anywhere  !  "  He  stroked  his  moustache 
and  heard.  "  Tell  me  of  some  of  your  feats  in  arms,  were 
you  never  in  a  battle  ?  " 

"  No  very  renowned  field,"  said  he  deprecatingly. 

"  Yet  you  conqured  Mexico  ?  " 

44  Yes,"  said  he,  drawling  a  little,  as  if  ashamed  of  the 
unequal  contest.  "  But  you  know  Mexico  is  not  formida- 
ble like  England  or  France." 

44  Oh,  I  know,  but  tell  me  about  some  of  those  battles, 
they  were  hugely  trumpeted  at  the  time.  Were'nt  you 
there  ?  " 

41  Yes,  Madam,  but  a  —  but  suppose  you  tell  me  some  of 
the  feats  your  ladyship  has  performed,"  said  the  gallant 
Colonel. 

4'  It  reminds  me,  4  merit  was  ever  modest   known  !  ' 
she  replied  drily. 

44  Really  now  Madam,  it  would  be  delightful  to  hear 
some  of —  " 

44  Arnold  was  one  of  your  heroes,  where  is  his  tablet?  " 
she  asked  maliciously,  displeased  at  the  Colonel  pointing 
out  the  Yorktown  flags.  He  showed  her  the  blank  tablet. 
She  seemed  struck  with  the  idea,  and  repeated  from  her 
idol  poet,  44  Thou  art  a  traitor,  and  a  miscreant,  too 
good  to  be  so,  and  too  bad  to  live  !  " 

44  Me,  Madam  ? 

'  Lies  it  within  the  bounds  of  possible  things, 
That  I  should  lend  my  name  to  that  word —  "  Traitor?  '  " 

44  No,  no  !  I  was  speaking  of  that  other  hero,"  said 
Madam,  and  left  the  chapel  repeating 

"  Is  there  not  some  chosen  curse, 

Some  hidden  thunder  in  the  stores  of  heaven, 
Rod  with  uncommon  wrath,  to  blast  the  man 
Who  owes  his  greatness  to  his  country's  ruin  ?  " 


Tactics;  or, 

lone  was  conciliating  the  Colonel,  who  had  lost  his  bland 
elegance  of  manner.  Madam  always  ruffled  his  plumes,  as 
Lieutenant  Burly  ton  cleverly  observed. 

Dear  reader  were  you  ever  becalmed  ?  Mrs.  Maryglot 
had  been  on  the  coast  of  Spain  ;  and  she  likened  the  hotel 
on  a  Sabbath  after  dinner  to  one  in  such  a  case !  she  could 
not  endure  it,  and  ordered  the  carriage  early,  and  the  gar- 
QOII  tapped  at  Tone's  door,  "  Madam  was  in  a  hurry."  She 
found  Lieutenant  Mera  looking  as  bright  as  if  he  had 
been  just  bought  at  a  hair  dresser's,  and  in  a  delightful 
mood.  They  drove  out  of  the  Black-gate  and  up  the 
Fort-Putnam  road,  while  Lieutenant  Mera  entertained 
them  with  many  stories  about  the  points  of  interest ;  and 
Madam  Maryglot  was  an  inquisitor  general  at  getting  in- 
formation from  all  sources,  and  she  found  a  pleasant  and 
intelligent  companion  in  the  man  she  had  pronounced  a 
Boeotian.  As  they  drove  up  under  the  trees  in  front  of 
the  church,  Madam  exclaimed,  "  Ah  how  lovely  and  home- 
like !  A  wee  handful  of  old  England  set  down  in  your 
untamed  country."  She  was  wild  over  it.  After  prayers 
she  lingered  reading  every  inscription,  and  left  the  "  de- 
licious pet  of  a  church  "  with  a  sigh. 

As  they  returned  home,  Lieutenant  Mera  asked  lone  if 
she  had  ever  visited  the  cemetery  at  West  Point.  She 
had  not,  and  they  drove  to  it.  Mrs  Maryglot  said  as  she 
had  been  there,  she  would  leave  them  to  walk  home. 

lone  admired  the  monuments,  and  wandered  among 
them,  reading  the  inscriptions  with  a  subdued  enjoyment 
that  greatly  interested  her  companion.  He  led  her  to  the 
graves  of  the  "  Innocents  "  to  whose  memory  the  church 
they  had  just  left,  had  been  raised  as  a  monument.  They 
sat  down  to  rest,  and  Liuetenant  Mera  took  from  his  pock- 
et Butler's  poem  on  this  grave-yard,  and  read  in  his  low 
musical  tones,  one  of  the  sweetest  things  ever  written. 

"  And  here  at  last  who  could  not  rest  contented ; 
Beneath —  the  River,  with  its  tranquil  flood, 
Around  —  the  breezes  of  the  morning  scented 
With  odors  from  the  wood. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps, 

Above  —  the  eternal  hills,  their  shadows  blending 

With  morn  and  noon  and  twilight's  deepening  pall, 
And  over  head  —  the  infinite  heavens,  attending 
Until  the  end  of  all." 

As  he  finished,  the  holy  hush  of  the  place  was  entranc- 
ing ;  the  soft  low  tones,  and  sweetly  solemn  words,  har- 
monized with  the  day.  the  hour,  the  scene ;  and  now  the 
distant  notes  of  the  band,  at  evening  parade,  stole  over 
them  with  a  dreamy  blessedness,  that  lone  recalled  years 
after  as  an  oasis  in  her  West  Point  experience.  They 
slowly  wended  their  way  back  to  the  hotel. 

"  LESSON    FIFTH." 

"  Fire  and  Load  Kneeling" 

Tone's  evident  depression  of  spirits  gave  Mrs.  Maryglot 
as  much  uneasiness  as  she  was  capable  of  feeling ;  accord- 
ingly, after  she  was  arrayed  for  the  evening,  she  tapped  at 
lone's  door  saying,  "  Come  pet." 

Her  heart  nearly  rushed  out  at  her  eyes,  at  those 
"  sounds  of  home,"  but  she  gave  a  little  swallow,  and 
squeaked  out  "  Yes,"  and  joined  her  queer,  but  sincere 
friend.  Madam  leaned  affectionately  on  lone's  arm,  as 
they  rapidly  "  reconnoitered  "  as  she  said,  to  see,  "  Who 
were  where."  They  walked  twice  around  the  piazxa,  and 
through  the  crowded  hall.  Every  eye  followed  lone, 
whose  heightened  color  became  crimson,  as  they  walked 
on,  by  hearing  one  lady  remark  to  another,  "  She  engaged 
to  Lieutenant  Saberin  ?  I  don't  believe  it !  He  would'nt 
have  her." 

Madam  put  her  arm  softly  around  lone's  waist,  and  dart- 
ing a  look  at  the  lady  that  reminded  her  of  an  old  super- 
stition about  the  evil  eye,  she  fairly  growled,  "  O,  yes,  that's 
devilish  woman  !  She  must  give  her  slap  if  it  breaks  the 
hearts  of  half  her  sex." 

"O,  how  I  have  coveted  that  lady's  friendship !  "  said 
lone  plaintively. 


128  Tactics;  or, 

"  Who  is  she  ?  "  asked  Madam. 

"  Colonel  Tee's  lady."  And  the  great  drops  forced 
themselves  down  her  burning  cheeks. 

Mrs.  Maryglot  drew  her  to  the  steps  leading  to  the  glen 
behind  the  hotel.  "  Now  what  a  little  einfaltig  liebling," 
she  said  in  a  choked  voice. 

lone  laughed  through  her  tears.  "  What  is  that  ?  do 
talk  English  to  me,  Mrs.  Maryglot !  " 

"  O,  that's  nothing  bad  ;  its  a  sweet  word.  Liebling  ; 
darling,  favorite,  etc.  Now  why  do  you  cry?" 

"  Oh  !  Mrs.  Maryglot,  I  want  somebody  to  tell  some- 
thing to,"  and  she  sobbed  outright. 

"  Then  tell  me  !  I'm  just  the  one  to  keep  it,  and  coun- 
sel you.  Well  ?  " 

lone  remembered  that  her  mother  had  often  said  to  her, 
"  Aye,  keep  something  to  yoursel'  ye  ne'er  will  tell  to 
ony,"  and  trembled  at  the  thought  of  confiding  in  a  stran- 
ger ;  but  still  more  so,  at  going  on  unguided  by  a  wiser 
brain  than  her  own.  She  fairly  threw  herself  into  Mrs. 
Maryglot's  arms.  Oh  !  Mrs.  Maryglot,  I  am  —  I  am  en- 
gaged to  Lieutenant  Saberin." 

Mrs.  Maryglot  really  rejoiced  at  this  splendid  announce- 
ment, as  she  thought ;  looked  at  her  with  a  quizzical  face, 
"  Well,  and  what  is  there  so  horrible  about  that  ?  he  is  a 
magnum  bonum  thrown  down  to  you ;  and  —  and  you're 
another  ;  "  and  she  hugged  her  very  much  as  a  bear  would 
have  done. 

"  Oh  !  —  Mrs.  Maryglot  —  O,  —  But  then  you  know, 
—  I  don't  love  him!  —  I'm  afraid  of  him  !  I  know  he's 
not  good  !  " 

"  Oh  !  —  ah  !  that's  another  thing !  Sie  solten  sich  vor 
ihm  seamen,  liebling,"  and  she  held  her  at  arms  length 
and  looked  at  her. 

'•  Why  will  you  persist  in  talking  Greek  to  me  ?  you 
know  I  don't  know  what  you  say,"  cried  lone,  pushing 
forward,  and  hiding  her  burning  face  in  Mrs.  Maryglot's 
neck. 

"  It's  not  Greek,  child  ;  but  most  excellent  German. 
Why  don't  you  understand  German  ?  " 

I 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  129 

"  Because  I  never  took  a  dozen  lessons  in  the  horrid 
language/' 

"  Well,  well,  you  must  begin  at  once  to  study  it,  it  is 
the  finest  language  in  the  world."  (After  a  moment.) 
"  Well,  and  you  don't  love  him  ?  what  next  ?  Girl-like 
you  love  somebody  else  —  eh  ?  " 

lone  looked  up  very  wildly.   "  Who  told  you  so  ?  " 

"  '  O,  there's  nothing  lost  to  him  that  sees,  with  an  eye 
that  feeling  gave,'  "  madam  replied  adroitly,  for  she  knew 
nothing  about  it. 

"  Well,  does  everybody  know  it  ?  "  said  the  einfaltig 
liebling. 

"  No,  no  !  no  one  but  me !  But  how  in  the  name  of 
the  '  fiery  Alps,  rocks,  caves,  lakes,  fens,  bogs,  dens,  and 
shades  of  death  '  did  you  get  engaged  to  him,  without  lov- 
ing him  ?  I  did  not  think  you  such  a  milk-sop,  such  a  — 
a  —  "  rattled  on  she,  in  a  merciless  way. 

"  O  !  Mrs.  —  dear  madam,  pity  me  !  " 

Madam  looked  like  a  stone  jug,  and  the  confession  be- 
gan. 

"  You  see,  Mrs.  Maryglot,  I  thought  like  Mrs.  Tee,  that 
he  was  very  high-minded,  and  —  that  I  was  doing  some- 
thing grand,  till  I  found  I  did  not  love  him  —  that  I  was 
afraid  of  him,  and  then  I  knew  I  had  sinned  !  "  and  the 
sobs  broke  forth  anew. 

Her  friend  took  her  hand,  and  caressed  it. 

lone  leaned  her  hot  cheek  on  madam's  shoulder.  "  What 
can  be  done,  my  dear  friend  ?  I'll  write  to  mamma,  to  send 
right  off  for  me  !  "  Still  no  reply  from  her  dear  friend. 
lone  moaned  piteously. 

At  length  Mrs.  Maryglot  said,  "  And  who  is  the  other  ?  " 

"  Oh,  do  not  ask  me  that !  Perhaps  I  only  think  he  is 
good,  perhaps  it 's  only  because  I  am  not  afraid  of  him, 
and  he  don't  care  a  pin  for  me."  She  sat  down  on  the 
grass,  dropped  her  hands  in  her  lap  in  a  very  hopeless 
way,  and  began  in  alow  voice  ;  "  For  some  reason  I  shrank 
from  him  from  the  first ;  there  was  a  curious  impertinence 
in  his  eyes  from  the  first  time  I  ever  met  them.  Then  all 
6* 


130  Taelics ;  or, 

at  once  he  became  very  polite,  and  was  sure  to  seek  me 
when  I  was  away  from  Viola.  I  was  flattered,  and  thought 
I  had  formed  groundless  prejudices  against  him,  but  I 
fought  my  heart  every  step.  One  evening  I  ran  down 
from  my  room  to  look  for  Viola  or  you,  and  saw  no  one  in 
the  hall,  but  advancing  hastily  to  the  north  door,  I  turned 
my  head  thinking  I  heard  some  one  coming  out  of  the  par- 
lor, while  hastening  on,  I  ran  right  into  some  one's  face ; 
I  gave  a  little  cry,  and  Lieutenant  Saberin  caught  me  in 
his  arms ;  he  saw  me  coming,  and  stood  at  the  side  of  the 
door,  to  frighten  me.  He  said  he  had  been  waiting  an  hour 
for  me.  There  was  no  one  out  there,  and  I  was  very  in- 
dignant that  he  should  behave  in  that  way,  but  he  fell  on 
his  knees  and  called  me  —  oh,  a  great  many  —  everything 
—  said  I  was  his  life  —  oh  —  you  know  !  I  was  so  sur- 
prised and  trembled  so  that  he  thought  it  was  all  —  love,  I 
suppose.  He  held  my  hand  and  would  not  release  it  till  I 
would  become  engaged  to  him.  I  said  no,  no  —  he  plead 
for  three  weeks,  and  then  if  I  did  not  like  him  —  or,  at 
last,  would  I  be  engaged  for  fifteen  minutes.  I  laughed, 
and  then  he  said  we  were  engaged." 

"  Well !  "  said  Mrs.  Maryglot. 

"  O,  well,  I  said  nothing,  and  he  said  that  meant,  yes." 

'"  That,  was  when  ?  "  asked  madam. 

"  A  week  ago,  but  I  have  not  walked  with  him,  or 
scarcely  seen  him  since,  for  I  fear  him.  When  he  finds  me 
alone,  he  calls  me  his  petite  jolie  fiancee,  and  says  he  likes 
me  all  the  better  for  my  shyness  ;  but  before  others  he 
throws  me  kisses  slily  off  his  finger-tips."  Here  she 
curled  her  pretty  lips.  "  He  says,  now  we  are  cheating 
Lieutenant  Mera,  beautifully ;  and  that  is  just  what  I 
don't  want !  O,  I'm  not  engaged  to  him  one  bit ;  that  is, 
my  heart's  not."  Here  she  buried  her  face  in  her  hands 
and  wept  bitterly.  "  I  wish  I  was  with  mamma.  I  wish 
he  was  hung  !  " 

Mr.-.  Maryglot  looked  to  her  like  an  old  toad,  sitting 
on  the  rocks,  with  a  brown  and  steel  color  shot-silk,  her 
fat  face,  and  great  double  chin,  she  appeared  as  uncon- 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  131 

cerned  as  if  she  were  listening  to  the  cry  of  the  whippor- 
wil,  she  now  turned  her  eyes  on  the  tear-stained  face  of 
lone,  and  broke  into  a  laugh,  that  made  the  young  girl 
almost  spring  from  her  seat.  She  laughed  on,  till  lone 
was  offended.  Seeing  this,  she  very  quietly  said,  "  You 
have  never  before  had  a  beau^  as  these  girls  call  a  lover, 
and  I  can  assure  you,  Lieutenant  Saberin  was  only  play- 
ing with  you." 

lone  looked  like  an  enraged  lioness,  at  this  flattering 
insinuation.  "  I  am  excessively  angry  at  you,  Mrs.  Mary- 
glot !  "  and  she  turned  her  crimson  face  away  from  her 
searching  gaze. 

Madam  pitied  her  "  liebling  "  too  much  to  prolong  her 
misery,  so  applied  the  knife  at  once,  like  a  skillful  surgeon. 
She  saw  that  lone  was  in  his  toils,  though  she  was  not 
aware  of  it,  and  determined  to  dethrone  the  fop  at  once 
from  the  heart  of  this  sincere  child  of  nature.  "  You  see 
lone,  if  you  were  the  daughter  of  a  general,  he  would 
proclaim  the  engagement  on  the  hotel-top,  and  lead  you 
about  like  a  captive  queen ;  as  it  is,  he  is  playing  with 
your  most  sacred  feelings." 

"  But  why  should  he  disrespect  me  ?  I  have  always  tried 
to  deserve  the  respect  of  every  one,"  whimpered  she,  with 
a  look  of  despair. 

Madam  laid  the  fingers  of  her  fat  hand  tenderly  on  her 
cheek,  "  Be  very  thankful  things  are  no  worse,  liebling; 
now  if  you  really  loved  him  and  he  were  going  to  be  hnn^, 
you  can  see,  things  would  be  much  worse  —  "  but  seeing 
the  tears  stealing  silently  over  the  rosy  face,  she  added, 
"  What  do  you  care  for  the  gavache  !  un  ame  de  bone  ; 
you  know  what  that  is,  '  a  soul  of  mind,' —  wait  till  I  get 
at  him." 

"  O,  dear  Mrs.  Maryglot,  pray  do  not  let  him  know  that 
I  have  told  you  a  word,  for  worlds.  Indeed,  I  shall  fly 
away  home  !  " 

"  A  la  bete  &  bon  Dieu,  as  the  French  call  the  lady- 
bug.  No  indeed,  but  a  beau  jeu  beau  retour ;  that  is,  one 
good  turn  deserves  another.  Now  for  some  plan  !  If  you 


132  Tactics ;  or, 

were  only  an  heiress,  I  should  delight  to  punish  the  dis- 
honorable —  the  unmanly  fellow  !  "  She  mused  long, 
thinking,  "  What  better  could  I  do  with  my  money  than 
to  give  it  to  lone,  and  make  these  prigs  all  scramble  for 
her,  for  they  all  admire  her,  as  who  can  help  it !  "  At  last 
she  said  "  I  have  a  plan  ;  you  keep  near  me,  all  the  time, 
and  we  will  attach  the  prettiest  girl  we  can  find,  to  our 
party :  and  if  he  comes  we  will  introduce  him,  and  seize 
every  opportunity  to  leave  them  alone." 

"  Ah,  Mrs.  Maryglot,  could  I  be  so  cruel ;  to  get  anoth- 
er into  the  same  trouble  I  am  in  ?  " 

"  Never  you  mind,  little  innocent,  I'll  get  some  one  that 
has  seen  the  world  '  a  bon  chat  bon  rat.' ' 

"  Ah,  Madam  !  '  Aquila  non  capit  muscas.' ' 

"  Bon  !  bon  !  brava  !  '  when  did  you  learn  latin  ?  " 

"  You  see  I  am  learned,  too.  I  wrote  off  a  whole  gram- 
mar when  I  was  ten  years  old.  But  you  wont  do  any- 
thing about  this  affair  of  mine,  will  you  ?  " 

"  O,  I  see.  The  idol  holds  his  seat ;  but  '  Bonis  nocet, 
quisquis  pepercerit  malis,'  and  that  means,  '  He  hurts  the 
good,  who  spareth  the  bad,'  leave  him  to  me,  for  '  ca3ca 
regens  vestigia  filo,'  or  '  leading  his  blind  steps  with  a 
thread,'  O,  wont  that  be  b-1-i-s-s,  now  that  I  know  my  gen- 
tleman !  " 

"  Mrs.  Maryglot,  you  frighten  me  to  death  !  Would  to 
heaven  I  had  suffered  in  silence  !  " 

"  No  harm  done,  pet,  I'll  handle  him  gingerly ;  trust 
me  ! '  She  drew  her  to  herself  affectionately,  then  leaning 
on  her  arm,  they  walked  to  the  river  bank.  The  moon  had 
risen,  fairly  eclipsing  the  twilight ;  and  now  lone's  spirits 
rose  to  the  highest  pitch,  since  she  had  once  cast  off  the 
burden  of  her  young  heart  on  such  able  shoulders,  and 
she  sang  in  a  low  voice,  from  Moore. 

"  Hark,  'tis  the  breeze  of  twilight  calling 

Earth's  wearied  children  to  repose; 
AYhile  round  the  couch  of  Nature  falling, 
Gently  the  night's  soft  curtains  close  ! 
Soon  o'er  a  world,  in  sleep  reclining, 
Numberless  stars,  through  yonder  dark, 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  133 

Shall  look  like  eyes  of  cherubs  shining 

From  out  the  veil  that  hides  the  ark  ! 
Guard  us,  Oh  !  Thou,  who  never  sleepest, 

Thou,  who  in  silence  throned  above, 
Throughout  all  time,  unwearied  keepest 

Thy  watch  of  Glory,  Power,  and  Love. 
Grant  that  beneath  thine  eye  securely 

Our  souls  awhile  from  life  withdrawn, 
May  in  their  darkness,  stilly,  purely, 

Like  '  sealed  fountains,'  rest  till  dawn  !  " 

As  they  stood  at  the  close  of  the  sons;,  Tone's  hand 
clasped  in  Mrs.  Maryglot's,  madam  compared  the  Hudson 
to  the  river  of  Damascus,  named  by  the  Greeks  Chrysorr- 
hoas,  or  '  the  golden  stream,'  flowing  through  the  beauti- 
ful valley  called  the  '  Orchard  of  Damascus,'  told  her 
of  that  famous  city,  which  the  Arabs  consider  the  first  of 
the  four  terrestrial  paradises,  believed  by  the  Bedouins  to 
be  the  most  ancient  city  in  being.  "  Now  we  are  abroad, 
shall  we,  as  Dr.  Thompson  says,  quoting  from  the  Arabs, 
ramble  on  '  ala  bab  Allah,  toward  God's  gate.'  This  they 
say  when  they  neither  know  nor  care  where  they  are  go- 
ing. "  Ah,  my  love,  we  think  we  are  mere  automatons 
here,  but  alas  !  in  Arabia  they  are  daily,  hourly  insulted  by 
those  who  love  them  best ;  even  little  boys  treat  their  moth- 
ers and  sisters  like  slaves,  and  are  esteemed  the  cleverer 
for  it.  The  women  wear  such  a  profusion  of  ornaments, 
it  would  sicken  you  of  them  —  thousands  of  piastres  strung 
around  their  foreheads,  in  various  coins ;  their  shoes  too, 
you  would  break  your  precious  neck  with  them,  wooden 
sandals,  raised  on  bits  of  ornamented  boards  a  foot  high, 
they  go  clattering  along." 

lone  forgot  her  griefs,  in  those  of  her  Arab  sisters,  and 
wished  she  were  the  Great  Mogul,  to  punish  the  men  for 
their  cruelty. 

Mrs.  Maryglot  affirmed  there  was  no  necessity  of  such  a 
state  of  things  if  the  women  would  only  stand  up  for 
themselves,  but  it  made  her  so  mad  to  see  her  sex  "  show 
the  white  feather  "  at  the  very  time  they  should  exhibit 
proper  spirit  —  the  men  would  respect  them  more.  "  Now 


131  Tactics;  or, 

just  hold  your  head  up  with  the  gallant  Lieutenant,  and 
your  heart  up  too —  don't  throw  it  at  his  feet  because  he 
deigns  to  smile  slily  on  you,  or  he'll  trample  on  it  and  turn 
again  and  rend  you." 

u  Indeed,  indeed  madam,  my  heart  is  snug  enough 
in  the  right  place ;  I  assure  you  the  Lieutenant  has  not 
possession  of  it  as  he  supposes." 

"  There  now,  that  is  what  they  call  caprice  and  cruelty  ; 
becoming  engaged,  and  hating  and  fearing  them,  all  in  the 
same  breath  !  "  madam  replied  with  some  severity. 

"  But  you  can  see  my  dear  madam,  that  I  am  not  en- 
gaged to  him  —  that  I  did  not  say  yes,  as  he  said  I  did, 
silence  was  not  consent,  was  it  ?  " 

"  Of  course  not,  but  why  had  you  not  spirit  enough  to 
say  '  you  are  very  greatly  mistaken,  sir  !  "  If  I  am  not 
mistaken  in  the  man, 

"  He  is  strangely  bewitched  by  that  sort  of  renown 
Which  consists  in  becoming  "  the  talk  of  the  town," 
And  to  hear  from  the  gazing,  and  mouth-open  throng , 
The  dear  words  "  that  is  he  "  as  he  trudges  along, 
While  beauty  all  anxious,  stands  on  her  tip-toes, 
Leans  on  her  beau's  shoulder,  and  lisps  '  there  he  goes  !  '  " 

lone  laughed  merrily,  and  the  welcome  sound  of  the 
gong  reaching  their  ears,  Madam  Maryglot,  in  a  com- 
ical manner  arranged  lone's  head  erect  on  her  shoulders, 
"  as  like  the  lid  of  a  coffee  pot  as  life,"  drew  down  her 
upper  lip,  etc.  throwing  her  into  spasms  of  mirth,  with  the 
benevolent  purpose  of  setting  her  at  her  ease  in  a  rencoun- 
ter with  those  "  prigs  of  officers."  They  climbed  the  hill- 
side. 

"  Now  dear  Mrs.  Maryglot,  I  have  forgotten  all  you 
have  told  me,  and  shall  just  go  on  and  make  a  fool  of  my- 
self as  I  did  before." 

Madam  stopped  to  laugh.  "  Why  don't  you  tell  me  as 
the  king  of  Sparta  told  the  ambassadors,  '  the  former  part 
of  your  address  was  too  long,  that  I  have  forgotten  —  the 
latter  part,  being  unconnected  in  my  mind  with  what 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  13-5 

you  said  before,  I  do  not  see  the  propriety  of  that,  and 
shall  not  feel  bound  to  act  upon  it.'  ' 

lone  said  Madam  was  a  great  deal  too  wise  for  her  com- 
prehension, she  could  not  see  the  wit  of  the  half  she  said. 

"  Vi  capisco  perfettame"nte,"  replied  the  old  lady. 

"  Well,"  said  lone  "  Well,  —  what?  The  English,  if 
you  please  ;  you  forget  that  you  must  enlighten  me  when 
you  speak  in  your  foreign  tongues." 

"  O,  it  seems  so  foolish  that  you  cannot  understand  such 
a  simple  sentence  !  I  said  I  understood  you  perfectly." 

li  Madam  Maryglot,  you  are  mighty  provoking  !  How 
should  I  know  what  you  are  saying,  when  you  are  talking 
in  every  lingo  that  was  spoken  at  the  tower  of  Babel,  in 
the  same  sentence." 

"  Grazie  !  "  replied  the  imperturbable  lady. 

As  they  ascended  the  steps  of  the  hotel  they  saw  a  group 
of  strangers.  A  very  pretty  girl  formed  one  of  the  party. 

Madam  sloped  the  waiter-boy  Mike,  who  was  darting 
past.  "•  Chi  sopo  quelle  signore  ?  " 

Mr.  Mike  was  a  great  character,  a  great  reader,  a  sub- 
scriber to  the  New  York  Ledger,  and  read  that  invaluable 
sheet,  to  waiter-dom  assembled,  every  night.  He  was  al- 
so what  has  been  greatly  eulogized,  a  good  listener,  and 
had  often  heard  the  learned  lady  discussed  by  the  gentle- 
men in  the  office,  and  felt  more  elevated  by  the  implied 
compliment  he  conceived  she  was  paying  him,  than  he 
had  ever  been  by  the  generosity  of  his  superior  officers. 
He  bowed  as  nearly  like  those  nonchalant  young  gentle- 
men, as  his  age  and  the  surprise  which  he  must  have  felt, 
would  warrant  one  in  expecting  —  and  said,  "  Oui,  Mad- 
am!" 

"  Oui,  —  what  ?  —  dunce  !  "  she  said,  and  glared  on 
him.  Poor  Mike !  He  seized  his  nose  with  his  doubled 
dexter  hand  and  rushed  past  her,  for  the  kitchen. 

Lieutenant  Burlyton  who  was  reclining  on  the  balus- 
trade near,  conversing  with  some  ladies,  stood  up  to  look  at 
the  farce  that  was  enacting,  and  when  Mike  disappeared, 
fell  into  a  spasm  of  laughter. 


136  Tactics;  or, 

lone  caught  a  glimpse  of  Lieutenant  Saberin  ascending 
the  front  steps,  and  escaped  to  her  room.  She  sought  Vio- 
la in  vain  ;  and  now  she  must  retrace  her  steps  alone. 
"  Why  did  I  not  stay  by  my  old  general,  Mrs.  Maryglot ! 
Dear  me,  I  will  nestle  under  her  wing  all  the  time,  yet  I 
don't  know  what  moment  she  will  expose  me,  as  she  did 
about  Cadet  Smith's  flowers  :  dear  me  !  "  and  she  leaned 
over  the  railing  to  see  if  Lieutenant  Saberin  had  gone  in  to 
tea.  He  had  not  seen  her  in  her  flight,  and  went  directly 
into  the  dining-room. 

Madam  Maryglot  losing  sight  of  lone,  bounced  into  tea, 
quite  in  a  fury  at  being  made  "  the  laughing  stock  of  fools," 
as  she  informed  the  party  on  the  piazza  when  she  flourished 
away  from  them  into  the  hall.  Her  indignation  blinded 
her  to  the  absence  of  her  liebling  till  she  saw  Lieutenant 
Saberin  enter  alone,  she  then  arose,  went  into  the  hall, 
and  looked  up  at  lone,  who  stood  leaning  with  her  elbow 
on  the  railing,  her  hand  covering  her  eyes.  Madam  Mary- 
glot's  great  heart  ached  for  her.  "  lone,"  she  whispered, 
"  come,  come  !  " 

lone  started,  and  the  brightest  of  smiles  made  her  face 
radiant.  She  skipped  down  to  her  friend,  and  kissing  her 
wrinkled  cheek,  followed  her  into  the  room,  a  blush  man- 
tling face  and  neck,  for  she  was  sure  every  one  at  the 
table  knew  just  as  much  as  she  knew  herself.  She  felt 
the  burning  glance  of  Lieutenant  Saberin's  dark  eyes  on 
her  face. 

Mrs.  Maryglot  rehearsed  her  grievances  to  her  in  an 
undertone.  She  glanced  at  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  and  his 
droll  face  quite  upset  her  gravity,  and  she  fell  to  devour- 
ing her  crusts  in  a  very  unlady-like  fashion,  that  the  irate 
lady,  might  not  detect  the  "•  aid  and  comfort  for  the  en- 
emy," lurking  in  the  dimples  of  the  corners  of  her  mouth. 
Lieutenant  Burlyton  joined  them  as  they  left  the  table, 
and  promenaded  the  pia/za,  bv  the  side  of  Viola,  to  whom 
he  portrayed  in  living,  glowing  colors,  "  the  best  thing  of 
the  season," — Madam  Maryglot  addressing  Mike  in  Italian. 
That  earnest  old  lady,  however,  had  her  plans  laid,  and 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  137 

was  busily  carrying  them  out.  She  sailed  round  and 
round  the  party  she  intended  to  attack  nearer  and  nearer 
each  time,  till  she  cast  anchor  within  grappling  distance, 
lone  saw  the  maneuver,  and  fell  behind  just  in  time  to 
meet  her  terror,  Lieutenant  Saberin. 

"  Well,  Miss  lone,  I  heard  your  warblings  at  the  river- 
side, and  we  wished  you  were  in  the  boat  with  us." 

"  You,  where  were  you  ?  " 

"  Not  far  below,  and  lingered  till  the  song  was  finished, 
it  was  ravishingly  sweet ;  we  were  afraid  of  startling  you, 
or  we  should  have  entreated  for  more." 

"  Who  was  with  you  ?  " 

'•  My  better  half,  Lieutenant  Hera ;  he  was  melted  like 
gold  in  the  crucible  !  " 

Madam  Maryglot  had  by  this  time  cried,  "  Ship  ahoy," 
and  "  Whither  bound  ?  "  etc.,  and  as  the  rest  of  the  ingre- 
dients were  brought  near,  hastened  to  stir  them  together. 
"•  lone,  my  dear,  this  is  Miss  Randolph ;  Miss  Randolph, 
Miss  Smith.  I  thought  Southern  girls  ought  to  know 
each  other  here !  Lieutenant  Saberin,  don't  run  away, 
we  want  you."  The  haughty  cynic  curled  his  eyes 
and  lips,  and  knit  his  forehead ;  and  had  she  been  a  man, 
would  have  curled  his  fingers  too,  at  this  great  liberty,  but 
came  forward,  and  gave  a  lordly  recognition  of  the  intro- 
duction. "  A  Randolph  of  Virginia  !  "  cried  she,  smirk- 
ing in  his  face  with  the  air  of  a  very  enthusiastic  antiqua- 
rian, bringing  to  the  day  the  crown-jewels  of  Semiramis, 
from  the  viscera  of  Ninevah. 

lone  and  Miss  Randolph,  cooed  like  young  turtle-doves 
over  each  other,  and  amused  Lieutenant  Saberin  so  much 
as  to  restore  his  self-complacency,  and  he  volunteered  to 
take  them  to  the  Observatory.  This  was  a  treat  indeed. 
Lieutenant  Saberin  left  them  to  bring  his  friend,  an  officer 
who  had  promised  that  lone  should  visit  the  Observatory 
the  first  cloudless  night  after  the  new  moon.  They  spent 
a  delightful  evening,  thanks  to  the  unwearied  exertions  of 
good  Mrs.  Maryglot,  and  at  the  hour  appointed  they  took 
their  flight  to  the  moon.  They  descended  as  far  as  advis- 


138  Tactics;  or, 

able  into  the  volcanic  crater  Tycho ;  they  saw  none  of 
the  inhabitants,  and  returned  without  attempting  to  visit 
the  reverse  side,  or  even  to  gather  specimens  of  lava  from 
the  crater. 

"  Fifty  miles  in  diameter  !  "  shouted  Mrs.  Mary  glut, 
"  I'll  not  believe  my  own  eyes  !  "  She  tucked  lone  under 
her  arm,  as  if  she  had  been  an  old  eagle,  and  could  carry 
her  eaglet  to  terra  firma  in  sublime  style.  "  Lieutenant 
Saberin,  you  take  care  of  Miss  Filista,"  meaning  Celeste, 
Miss  Randolph's  Christian  name.  Lieutenant  Head  stepped 
forward,  and  led  the  ladies  down.  The  laughing  echoes 
scintillated  around  their  heads  from  those  left  behind,  and 
lone  heard  Lieutenant  Saberin  say,  "  Madam  has  let  me 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Philistines  truly ;  and  you  are 
laughing  at  me  Delilah-like  !  " 

Celeste  said  he  ought  to  be  able  to  carry  her  down  on 
his  shoulders,  such  a  Samson  as  he -supposed  himself  to 
be. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  139 


"PART  THIRD." 

"  LESSON  FIRST." 

"  Alignments" 

The  prospect  of  witnessing  the  Grand  Review  for  the 
first  time,  drove  all  else  from  Tone's  mind.  She  was  invi- 
ted with  her  aunt  to  the  collation  at  the  house  of  the  Su- 
perintendent, given  for  the  "  Boai'd  of  Visitors."  Cadet 
Corridor  had  asked  lone  to  await  his  coming  after  review, 
and  he  would  accompany  her  in  to  the  Superintendent's. 
Mrs.  Bobaline  was  seldom  seen  without  two  or  three  of 
the  young  officers,  but  he  whose  presence  gave  most  pleas- 
ure, was  rarely  with  her.  This  morning  Lieutenant  Sa- 
berin  met  her  at  breakfast,  and  said  he  hoped  to  meet  her 
at  the  Colonel's.  This  brightened  the  day  for  the  poor 
lady,  and  she  was  radiant ;  that  meant  that  he  would  pay 
his  respects  to  her  there,  and  no  pains  were  too  great  to 
adorn  herself  for  such  a  triumph.  Her  chief  charm  was 
not  her  unexceptionable  toilet,  or  perfect  features,  but  an 
indescribable  air  of  elegance,  and  a  charmingly  gracious 
attention  to  the  person  with  whom  she  happened  to  be 
conversing.  She  was  surrounded  by  so  many  distinguish- 
ed gentlemen,  that  lone  enjoyed  the  crumbs  that  fell 
from  her  "feast  of  reason,"  not  a  little.  The  review 
was  very  grand.  The  throng  of  spectators,  lining  the 
side-walk  in  front  of  the  "  quarters,"  and  on  the  path 
under  the  trees,  from  the  academic  building,  to  the  flag- 
staff, formed  an  exquisite  embroidery  around  the  finely 
cut  green-sward  of  the  parade  ground.  The  "  Board  of 
Visitors,"  black-coated,  and  profoundly  dignified  ;  the 


110  Tactics;  or, 

"  academic  Board,"  in  all  the  grandeur  feathers,  sash- 
es, swords,  epaulettes,  and  white  cotton  gloves  can  im- 
part, were  there.  Then  the  cadets,  —  mammas'  charming 
boys ;  daughter  Carrie's  devoted  admirers  ;  the  young 
officers'  formidable  rivals ;  terror  of  professors  ;  the  amus- 
ing, abused,  heart-breaking  cadets ;  the  fine  looking  en- 
gineer corps  ;  the  artillery,  the  dragoons :  a  most  formidable 
array !  And  now  the  miniature  army  scours  the  plain  to 
the  most  inspiriting  music  ;  once,  twice,  three  times. 

Zone's  eyes  danced  with  delight.  In  vain  she  tried  to 
recognize  Cadet  Corridor,  but  when  the  "  double-quick," 
brought  them  before  her  the  last  time,  she  was  startled  by 
a  look  of  recognition  she  received  from  him,  in  an  oblique 
glance. 

The  review  over.  Lieutenant  Mera  joined  lone,  and 
asked  if  she  was  going  in  to  the  collation. 

"  Yes,  I  am  waiting  for  Cadet  Corridor." 

"  Really,  that's  a  novel  idea  —  for  a  cadet  to  engage  a 
lady  to  go  to  a  collation."  Does  that  signify  that  he  is  to 
monopolize  every  word  and  smile,  this  afternoon  ?  " 

"  O  no  !  "  she  replied,  u  I  suppose  he  thought  it  would 
be  pleasant  for  me  to  be  sure  of  some  one  to  bring  me 
cream." 

"  Anxious  you  should  not  lose  your  cream  ?  I  reckon  he 
was  only  anxious  not  to  lose  the  cream  of  the  guests  him- 
self! "  laughed  he.  "But  I  must  go  and  get  a  drink  : 
good-bye,  Miss  lone,"  and  he  dashed  across  the  road.  He 
raised  his  hat  as  he  entered  the  gate,  looking  as  if  it  was 
no  paradise,  when  leaving  her  outside. 

She  started  as  she  turned  and  found  Cadet  Corridor  at 
her  side,  "  Oh,  Miss  lone  !  '  present  or  accounted  for  '  in 
the  body,  but  heart  and  eyes  '  running  it,'  I  will  beat  the 
long  roll,  and  4  hive  and  court-martial,  the  truants  !  ' 

"  What  are  you  talking  about  ?  I  don't  understand  one 
word  !  "  said  lone,  as  bewildered  as  possible. 

"  Never  mind,  come,  they  will  eat  up  all  the  goodies, 
before  we  get  there." 

On  entering  the  hall  lone  noticed  a  crowd  of  officers, 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  141 

around  a  table  apparently  examining  with  great  interest 
something  on  it.     She  asked  what  it  was. 

"  ThatT?  that's  a  great  curiosity  !  It  i§  an  ancient  bowl, 
used  at  the  "fountain  of  youth,"  and  is  still  supposed  to  re- 
tain its  magical  properties,  that  is  to  say,  it  changes  any 
liquid  poured  into  it,  into  a  rejuvenating  beverage..  You 
would  be  surprised  to  see  the  change  its  icy  contents  will 
effect  on  the  staid,  —  those  that  linger  after  the  rest,  I 
mean,  —  professors  and  officers.  They  lose  the  wrinkled 
brow  of  wisdom,  and  martial  tread,  and  frolic  and  dance 
as  if  the  prayer  had  been  answered  in  their  case. 

"  Oh,  for  one  hour  of  youthful  joy  ! 

Give  me  back  my  twentieth  spring  ! 
I'd  rather  laugh  a  bright-haired  boy 

Than  reign  a  gray-beard  king  ! 
OS  with  the  wrinkled  spoils  of  age  ! 

Away  with  learning's  crown  ! 
Tear  out  life's  wisdom-written  page 

And  dash  its  trophies  down. 
One  moment  let  my  life-blood  stream 

From  boyhood's  fount  of  flame  ! 
Give  me  one  giddy,  reeling  dream 

Of  life,  all  love  and  fame  !  " 

While  the  youthful  sage  had  been  raising  the  curtain 
for  lone  to  peep  behind  the  scenes,  they  had  become 
wedged  in,  near  the  door.  As  he  finished  his  quotation, 
she  glanced  over  her  shoulder  to  watch  the  devotees  around 
the  Helicon  fount ;  and  saw  a  slender  white  hand  raise  a 
glass  above  the  heads.  A  laugh  followed  the  toast,  and  she 
knew  the  hand  by  a  signet-ring  she  had  seen  Lieutenant 
Mera  wear.  "  I  wonder  what  the  sentiment  was,"  said  she 
mechanically. 

Cadet  Corridor  had  heard  it,  and  replied,   "  It  was  a 
mathematical  joke,  '  Here's  to  the  mixed  Professor  —  ! ' ' 
lone  did'nt  see  it,  but    soon  found  herself  a  link  in  a 
chain  of  bowers  and  scrapers   around  my  lord  and  lady 
Superintendent. 

The  lady  said,  "  Mr.  Corridor  take  your  friend  into  the 
next  room,  you  will  find  it  full  of  young  people." 


142  Tactics;   or, 

Mr.  Corridor  thanked  her,  but  had  no  intention  of  los- 
ing his  friend  in  a  crowd  ;  and  said,  "  Here  is  just  the  cosi- 
est spot  in  the  world,  in  this  south  window,  hung  with 
roses  and  honeysuckles,  and  the  band  will  play  just  near 
us  —  could  this  be  improved  ?  " 

"  No  indeed,  we  are  very  fortunate,"  she  replied.  She 
felt  at  ease,  and  the  wit  and  easy  flow  of  words  on  sim- 
ple subjects,  gave  a  charm  to  her  intercourse  with  cadets, 
she  never  knew  when,  in  momentary  fear  of  saying  some- 
thing stupid,  or  not  fearfully  interesting,  she  weighed  each 
word  before  she  spoke  it  to  the  officers.  Cadet  Corridor 
went  to  get  lone  some  cream,  when  Lieutenant  Saberin  im- 
mediately took  his  seat. 

"  Where  is  Viola  ?  "  said  lone. 

"  Surrounded,  like  Saturn,  by  worlds  of  admirers,  till  I, 
like  an  eighth  moon,  was  compelled  to  move  into  space,  as 
I  could  not  get  near  enough  to  catch  a  gleam  of  her  flow- 
ing robes." 

"  But  really,  have  you  not  seen  her?  " 

"  Why,  Miss  lone,  has  she  anything  to  tell  me  ?  " 

"  O  no,  but  she  expected  to  meet  you,  and  I  fear  she 
will  be  disappointed.  How  strange,  that  those  we  most 
wish  to  see,  are  the  ones  we  never  can  see  !  " 

"  In  that  case,  Miss  lone  is  as  disappointed  as  her  aunt !  " 

"  Please,  please,  Lieutenant  Saberin,  I  did  not  mean 
any  thing  of  that  kind ;  but  really,  I  would  rather,  if  you 
could  only  see  one  of  us,  that  she  should  not  be  disappoint- 
ed." 

"  I  understand,  but  cannot  consent  to  be  driven  away, 
even  by  so  lovely  a  compliment." 

Cadet  Corridor  returned,  looking  very  wistfully  at  his 
seat,  so  dangerously  filled.  Lieutenant  Saberin  showed 
no  signs  of  vacating  it,  and  he  took  his  position  at  the 
back  of  her  chair.  She  conversed  about  the  strangers,  ad- 
dressing most  of  her  remarks  to  Cadet  Corridor. 

At  length  Lieutenant  Saberin  arose  saying,  "  Miss 
Smith,  shall  I  have  the  pleasure  of  listening  to  the  music 
with  you  this  evening  ?  "  in  the  most  nonchalant  way. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  143 

She  bowed  her  head  in  very  much  the  same  style,  and 
drew  a  long  breath,  as  Cadet  Corridor  resumed  his  seat. 
At  parade  lone  watched  for  the  newly  recognized  position 
of  her  cadet  friend,  and  found  it  by  the  most  comical  lit- 
tle signal  that  could  be  imagined,  the  slight  movement  of 
the  white  glove  on  the  left  hand.  lone's  eyes  must  have 
borne  testimony  to  the  recognition  as  plainly  to  Cadet 
Corridor,  as  if  she  had  waved  hers  in  return.  At  supper 
lone  saw  plainly  by  Viola's  manner,  that  she  had  not  been 
entirelv  forgotten  by  Lieutenant  Saberin.  She  liked  him 
all  the  better  for  not  having  failed  Viola,  and  when  he 
came  to  her  in  the  hall  and  said,  "  Miss  lone,  music  has 
commenced,"  and  offered  her  his  arm,  she  vouchsafed  a 
very  sweet  smile,  which  he  did  not  attribute  to  the  right 
cause.  They  did  not  speak,  till  they  reached  the  iron 
seats. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  broke  the  silence.  "  Did  you  ever 
see  such  a  night  ?  this  is  happiness  !  Just  look  at  the 
shadow  of  the  trees  on  the  grass !  and  the  moonlight  on 
the  hills  across  the  river.  One  ought  to  be  very  happy  in 
this  beautiful  world." 

"  One  is,  is  not  one  ?  "  she  answered. 

"  No  ;  I  am  a  great  way  from  it.  I  do  not  know  what 
the  sensation  is,  it  is  so  long  since  I  have  experienced  it." 

"  Lieutenant  Saberin  blue  ?  "  she  exclaimed  in  a  tone 
so  like  the  one  he  remembered  in  Lieutenant  Mera,  the 
night  before  he  got  his  leave  to  go  to  New  York,  that  he 
started.  "  I  did  not  know  that  you  were  ever  unhappy, 
if  I  were  a  man,  I  would  throw  sorrow  to  the  winds  !  " 

"  If  you  were  a  man ;  Miss  lone,  you  would  have  no 
sorrow.  The  good  are  always  happy  !  " 

"  Then  you  cannot  be  very  unhappy,  you  are  not  very 
bad  are  you  ?  "  said  she  anxiously. 

"  Yes,  my  profession  is  a  killing  one,  you  know  !  And 
then  I  must  always  be  wishing  some  one  out  of  my  wax- 
as  I  would  like  to  be  promoted ;  so  I  don't  see  how  I  can 
be  good  like  such  as  you  !  " 

"  You  are  just  talking  nonsense,  there  is  nothing  wicked 
in  being  a  soldier,  you  know ;  and  in  deserving  promotion  !  " 


144  Tactics ;  or, 

"Deserving?  the  deserving  are  not  the  ones  that  get 
it.  Those  that  fawn  on  the  men  in  power  ;  that  go  to 
Washington  and  distinguish  themselves  in  the  redowa  and 
lancers,  that  ride  and  flirt  with  the  honorahle  Brown, 
Smith,  and  Jones's  daughters  and  nieces,  are  the  ones  that 
add  the  bars  to  their  rectangles." 

"  Then  it  seems  Lieutenant  Saberin  is  too  good  to  gain 
promotion  in  that  way." 

"  Which  is  worst,  to  break  hearts  among  the  ladies,  or 
to  wish  the  men  out  of  our  way  ?  " 

"  Lieutenant  Saberin,  you  are  too  metaphysical  for  me  ; 
I  am  afraid  you  are  taking  cold  under  the  trees." 

"  If  that  solicitude  were  really  felt  how  happy  I  should 
be.  But  in  what  am  I  metaphysical  ?  what  does  meta- 
physics mean,  Miss  lone  ?  " 

She  fairly  grew  out  of  patience  and  said  quickly,  "  See 
metaphysics  call  for  aid  on  sense." 

"  Then  I  shall  not  call  in  vain  to-night,"  said  he. 

"  I  wonder  why  they  do  not  leave  the  flag  up,  on  moon- 
light nights,"  said  lone,  determined  to  change  the  subject. 

"  Then  you  do  admire  the  stars  and  stripes  ?  I  admire 
our  flag  more  than  anything  in  the  world,  except  a  beau- 
tiful face,"  said  he  looking  down  at  lone. 

She  took  no  notice  of  the  remark,  and  asked  if  he  re- 
membered what  the  Chinese  called  it. 

"  No  ;  I  regret  I  do  not  speak  Chinese.  Is  that  one  of 
pour  accomplishments  ?  " 

"  No,  but  a  friend  of  mamma's  returned  from  China 
lot  long  since,  and  charmed  us  all  with  the  force  of 
their  words.  Our  flag,  they  call  a  '  flower  flag'  Amer- 
ica is  called  '  kaw-kee-kwoh  r  Flower-flag  country,  and  an 
•American  '  Flower-flag-countryman,'  more  complimentaiy 
than  that  bestowed  upon  the  Dutch  '  Red-haired  barbarians/ 
'  Yan-kee-doo-dle  '  means  '  Flag  of  the  ocean,'  '  Sovereign 
people  of  the  world  ! '  and  Washington,  '  Wo-shing-tung  ' 
*  Rescue  and  glory  at  last !  ' 

"  Rather  significant,  is  it  not  ?  "  said  he  thoughtfully. 

"  Of  what  ?  "  asked  she. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  145 

"  Of  him  we  all  are  proud  to  call  our  rescue  and  glory, 
first  and  last,  I  fear  I  worship  that  name  Washington  !  " 

"  What  is  your  name,  Lieutenant  Saberin  ?  " 

"  Ulm." 

"  Ulm  !     Who  were  you  named  far?  " 

"•  I  do  not  know,  some  old  German  ancestor,  I  suppose. 
I  was  not  at  the  christening." 

"  Ulm  Saberin,—  I  like  that !  " 

"  Quite  fortunate,  since  it  is  at  your  service." 

"  O,  it  is  far  too  pretty  to  be  thrown  lightly  away." 

"  I  understand ;  very  nicely  done,  but  I  shall  not  accept 
the  rejection,  Miss  lone  !  " 

"  Rejected,  Saberin  ?  "  laughed  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  as 
he  ran  past  him  up  the  steps  of  the  hotel. 

"  Yes,  and  most  elegantly  done  !  " 

lone  found  Viola  holding  a  levee  in  the  north  parlor 
with  Madam  Maryglot,  the  Colonel,  Lieutenant  Mera,  and 
two  of  the  Board.  lone  and  Lieutenant  Saberin  joined  the 
circle,  and  soon  Lieutenant  Burlyton  came  in  to  complete 
the  mirthful  party,  and  songs,  music,  and  the  "  lancers," 
closed  the  evening. 

"  Right  (or  left)  Dress." 

"  Guard  mounting,  breakfast,  drill,  dinner,  parade,  tea, 
serenade,  on  the  piazza  till  eleven  o'clock  with  Lieutenant 
Saberin."  Such  was  the  record  of  one  day  in  Tone's  jour- 
nal, nor  one  day  alone,  but  day  after  day.  At  the  exami- 
nation hall,  at  riding,  on  the  plain,  to  witness  the  won- 
derful performance  of  constructing  the  "  pontoon  bridge," 
lone's  never  failing  attendant  was  Lieutenant  Saberin. 
She  went  everywhere. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  was  very  jealous,  and  said,  "  Let  him 
alone  —  he  is  too  intellectual  not  to  tire  of  her  ;  indeed, 
any  man  will  tire  of  any  woman  after  such  a  siege,  and 
then  he  will  be  mine  more  than  ever.  It  is  only  to  be 
near  me  to  watch  me  and  see  who  I  am  with.  It  is  West 
Point  Tactics  !  But  I  will  show  him  what  retribution  is, 
7 


U6  Tactics;  or, 

when  my  time  comes."  In  the  mean  time  she  was  in- 
dulging in  every  variety  of  "small-sword"  exercise  that 
a  jealous  woman  could  inflict  on  the  object  of  her  envy, 
by  putting  lone  to  torture  in  a  thousand  trifling  ways. 

• 
"  To  march  to  the  Front" 

For  a  long  time  lone  avoided  Lieutenant  Saberin,  and 
even  told  him  that  he  was  Viola's  friend  first,  and  should 
not  neglect  her,  as  it  made  them  both  unhappy.  He  re- 
plied that  lone  did  very  wrong  to  countenance  a  married 
lady  in  receiving  the  attentions  of  a  young  gentleman  in 
her  husband's  absence.  He  would  put  his  wife  in  a  cage 
if  she  did  not  do  right.  This  seemed  very  correct  to  her, 
and  she  gradually  became  resigned  to  her  aunt's  discom- 
fiture, and  came  to  like  the  caressing  deference  shown 
her  by  her  elegant  beau.  Lieutenant  Mera  treated  her 
with  dignified  coldness  when  they  met,  leaving  his  friend 
master  of  the  field,  and  attended  Mrs.  Bobaline  even-- 
where. 

A  cold,  rainy  day  imprisoned  the  ladies  in-doors.  There 
was  no  getting  out.  lone  wandered  from  door  to  window 
and  back  to  door  again,  till  Miss  Celeste  Randolph  came 
down  and  challenged  her  to  a  game  of  chess.  In  a  few 
moments  two  of  the  cadet  officers  came  in  to  call  on  Miss 
Celeste,  who  introduced  lone.  The  gayest  mirth  was  al- 
ready defying  the  storm  without,  quite  divesting  the  house 
of  the  gloom  which  pervaded  it,  when  Lieutenant  Mera 
passed  the  window  and  glanced  in.  Presently  the  bell- 
boy handed  lone  a  card  with  "  Lieutenant  Mera  —  In 
the  north  parlor,"  upon  it.  Why  did  the  blood  leave  her 
cheek  at  receiving  a  card  with  that  name  on  it  ?  She 
would  gladly  have  flown  in  an  opposite  direction.  She 
excused  herself  and  went  forth  feeling  like  a  culprit. 

Lieutenant  Mera  was  surprised  at  the  very  rosy  face 
that  greeted  him.  "  Pardon  my  intrusion,  Miss  lone,  but 
I  hoped  those  young  gentlemen  were  Miss  Randolph's 
friends,  and  you  are  so  seldom  to  be  seen  lately,  that 
this  moment  seemed  precious.'' 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  147 

This  address  sent  the  blood  flying  from  lone's  face  to 
her  heart,  and  back  again  to  her  brow,  till  it  burned  pain- 
fully. 

"I  don't  understand  you,"  was  all  she  could  utter. 

"  I  fear  I  don't  understand  myself,  lately." 

She  stood  before  him  as  if  he  had  come  in  on  business. 
She  raised  her  eves,  his  were  resting  on  her  face  with  a 
strange  burning  light  in  them.  Her  cheeks  glowed  and 
her  heart  fluttered. 

'•  Miss  lone,  will  you  give  me  this?  "  touching  a  little 
blue  bow  on  her  hair. 

She  did  not  answer,  but  bowed  her  head  to  him. 

He  tremblingly  untied  it  from  her  soft  curls,  letting 
them  fall  over  her  blushing  cheek.  He  carefully  retiecl  it 
saying,  "  I  will  keep  this  till  Azrael  wings  me  from  earth, 
—  and  take  it  with  me  if  permitted." 

Like  a  devotee  before  an  idol,  with  folded  hands  and 
downcast  eyes  stood  poor  lone. 

He  drank  in  the  beauty  of  the  perfect  being  before  him, 
little  understanding  the  terror  —  undefined  even  to  her- 
self—  yet  no  less  terror,  of  the  girl  so  little  versed  in  the 
ways  of  the  world.  "  Is  this  affectation  ?  she  is  not  so 
timid,"  thought  he.  "  Have  you  seen  these  fine  sketches 
of  the  scenery  here,  Miss  lone  ?  "  He  unfolded  the  pic- 
tures on  the  table.  She  had  no  alternative  but  to  advance 
and  examine  them.  While  thus  engaged  he  said,  "  I 
should  suppose  you  would  become  a  fine  linguist  in  a  short 
time,  you  are  so  constantly  under  the  tuition  of  Madam 
Maryglot.  Does  she  give  you  lessons  in  German  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no  !  She  speaks  German  to  me  sometimes,  and 
then  translates  it  for  me,"  she  replied  quietly. 

"  Do  you  not  remember  any  of  it  ?  " 

"  O,  yes,  I  know  what  liebling  means,  she  says  that  so 
often  to  me,"  she  answered  smiling. 

"  Suppose  I  be  promoted  to  an  assistant  professorship, 
and  finish  that  lesson  ?  " 

She  glanced  at  him  inquiringly. 

He  blushed  like  a  girl,  and  recited  "  Begin  now  :  lieb- 
ling, ich  liebe  dich." 


145  Tactics;  or, 

Tone's  face  and  neck  were  dyed  in  crimson,  showing 
that  she  at  least  half  guessed  the  meaning  of  her  new  les- 
son. She  bowed  her  head  very  low  over  the  picture  on 
which  his  hand  lav.  The  large  ring  on  his  finger  attracted 
her  eyes  just  in  time  to  open  an  escape  from  her  perilous 
situation.  "  Lieutenant  Mera,  what  an  unique  ring  you 
wear,  is  it  an  heir-loom  ?  It  is  very  curious." 

'*  This  ring  ?  It  is  a  talisman  :  pshaw  !  a  mockery  I 
Yet  I  cling  to  the  bauble,  as  if  it  were  the  key  to  my  des- 
tiny !  "  He  took  it  off  and  handed  it  to  lone. 

"  Tell  me  about  it,  please  :  —  '  J.  A.'  Does  it  belong 
to  your  lady  love  ?  " 

Yes,  if  she  likes  it !  "  and  he  took  her  hand  to  put  it 
on  her  finger. 

"  O,  no  !  It  is  too  conspicuous  —  besides,  what  would 
she  say  ?  " 

"  Who,  say  ?  " 

"  Miss  Arnold  —  is  it  not  hers  ?  " 

"  Miss  Arnold  !  Miss  lone  Smith  is  the  only  Miss  that 
has  ever  touched  this  ring  —  at  least  since  it  has  been  in 
my  possession." 

"  Is  it  so  sacred,  then  ?  " 

He  looked  out  of  the  window  dreamily,  and  sighed,  u  I 
don't  know  why  it  is — or  should  be  so  —  still  the  queer 
motto  in  it  binds  me  to  it :  4  Have  faith  in  me  ! ' 

"  What  does  it  mean  ?  lone  asked,  very  much  interested. 

"  Well,  there  is  a  family  story  connected  with  it.  My 
mother's  only  brother  was  beside  himself  about  a  young 
lady,  but  her  mamma  thought  her  too  young  to  marry,  so 
the  gentleman  fled  beyond  the  seas,  and  sent  back  his  min- 
iature and  this  ring  to  his  dulcina,  but  the  vessel  convey- 
ing them  was  cast  away,  and  after  three  years  my  mother 
received  them  from  the  mother  of  my  poor  uncle's  false 
love,  who  had  married,  and  gone  to  parts  unknown.  My 
mother  gave  them  to  me,  thinking  —  deluded  lady,  that  I 
should  be  his  heir.  That  is  the  story  of  the  ring. " 

"  But  your  unclo, —  your  uncle,  what  became  of  him  ?  " 

"  Really,  I  can  hardly  tell ;    he  never  married,  and  I 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  149 

have  heard  he  died  a  millionaire,  leaving  all  his  money  to 
strangers." 

The  last  words  were  said  a  little  bitterly. 

"GUIDE   RIGHT    (OR   LEFT.") 

"3d.  March." 

Lieutenant  Saberin  lay  stretched  on  his  white  robe  read- 
ing Guy  Livingstone,  when  Lieutenant  Storme  came  in. 
"  Saberin,"  he  began,  "  wont  you  go  over  to  Indian  Falls 
with  us  this  afternoon  ?  Alton  has  backed  out,  because 
there  is  not  a  black-eyed  girl  in  the  party  he  says,  but  it 
is  only  his  indolence.  I  have  brought  the  doctor  to  tell 
you  your  health  demands  that  you  should  take  this  trip. 
Everybody  is  so  intolerably  slow  here.  We  have  a  grand 
party  to  go." 

"  Who  ?  "  asked  Lieutenant  Saberin,  laying  down  his 
book. 

"  I  don't  know,"  said  the  doctor,  "  I'm  not  even  ac- 
quainted with  the  young  lady  I'm  expected  to  play  the 
skillful  to !  " 

"  WTho  is  it,  Storme  ?  "  laughed  Lieutenant  Saberin. 

"  Miss  lone  Smith." 

"  Yes,  Smith  is  the  unique  name." 

"  And  who  else  ?  "  questioned  he  of  Lieutenant  Storme. 

"  Mera  is  going  to  take  my  cousin,  Maria  Hamilton. 
Nora  Kearney  goes  with  your  humble  servant,  and  ma 
petite  soeur  has  no  escort." 

"  Then  I  shall  be  most  happy,  if  you  can  swear  to  the 
petite.  When  did  your  sister  and  cousin  come,  Storme  ?  " 

"  Last  evening.  Be  at  the  hotel  at  four  o'clock  and  I 
will  introduce  the  little  one  to  you.  He  left  Lieutenant 
Saberin  and  the  Doctor  together  to  report  pi'ogress  to  the 
ladies.  The  doctor  lighted  a  cigar,  tipped  his  chair  back, 
raised  his  heels  on  the  window-sill,  and  said. 

"  I  rather  tell  thee  what  is  to  be  feared, 
Than  what  I  fear.     For  always  I  am  Caesar." 


150  Tactics;  or, 

Lieutenant  Saberin  retorted, 

"  I  dare  assure  thec,  that  no  enemy 
Shall  ever  take  alive  the  noble  Brutus  !  " 

"  Keep  a  stout  heart  doctor ;  we  may  escape  unscathed, 
and  slip  the  net  that's  dropped  for  us  !  Have  you  seen 
Storm  e's  sister?  " 

"  Yes,  I  saw  her  this  morning,  at  guard  mounting, 
where  this  unfortunate  affair  was  concocted.  I  invited 
her  to  go  with  me,  but  she  expected  then  to  go  with  Alton, 
so  I  was  portioned  off  to  Miss  Smith.  Then  Alton  begged 
to  be  excused,  and  you  have  got  the  one  I  prefer,  and  I 
have  your  choice,  if  what  I  hear  be  true,  my  only  conso- 
lation is,  they  say  she  is  rather  brilliant." 

"  Well  now,  Oglevie,  such  being  the  case,  I  propose  a 
compromise.  We'll  start  all  fair,  you  get  introduced  to 
Miss  Smith  and  I  will  to  Miss  Storme,  we  will  stay  by 
them  in  the  boat,  but  on  the  other  side,  we  will  change  off. 
How  would  you  like  that  ?  " 

"  O,  very  much." 

"  Who  told  you  Miss  Smith  was  brilliant  ?  " 

"  Miss  Kearney  said  when  Miss  Storme  refused  my  in- 
vitation on  account  of  her  brother  having  spoken  to  Al- 
ton, '  Never  mind,  there's  Miss  Smith  take  her ;  she  has 
as  much  money  as  a  clover  has  honey.' ' 

"  Well  ?  how  do  you  make  that  brilliant  ?  " 

"  O,  I  see,  it  is  not  all  gold  that  glitters  !  " 

"  Pshaw  !  "  replied  Lieutenant  Saberin,  laughing. 

"  How  goes  the  enemy  ?  "  asked  the  doctor. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  looked  at  his  watch.  "  Four  o'clock, 
I  declare  ;  we  shall  be  late."  He  arose,  soaped  his  mous- 
tache, and  they  set  out.  They  met  the  party  at  the  hedge. 
Lieutenant  Saberiu  was  presented  by  Lieutenant  Storme 
to  his  sister  and  cousin,  and  the  doctor  to  lone  ;  but  Lieu- 
tenant Mera  was  at  her  side  and  did  not  leave  her  till 
they  reached  the  boat.  Lieutenant  Saberin  scrutinized 
Miss  Storme,  and  Miss  Storme  when  she  got  the  opportu- 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  151 

nity  scanned  Lieutenant  Saberin.  Their  eyes  met,  and 
both  smiled.  "  Excuse  me  Miss  Storme,  but  may  I  tell 
you  what  your  thoughts  were,  then  ?  " 

"  Certainly,  if  you  can  ;  but  I  shall  not  tell  you,  if  yon 
are  right." 

"  I  shall  know  that  without  your  telling.  You  were 
thinking,  '  I  wonder  if  I  shall  like  him  as  well  as  the  doc- 
tor !' : 

"Now  the  answer,  Lieutenant  Saber." 

"  I'm  not  so  sharp,  as  you  think  me,  Miss  Storme,  I  am 
only  a  Saberin  !  " 

Miss  Storme  laughed  merrily,  "  I  shall  always  call  you 
Lieutenant  Saber,  you  were  so  keen  as  to  divine  my 
thoughts !  " 

As  they  arranged  themselves  in  the  boat,  Lieutenant 
Saberin  blessed  the  doctor  for  his  adroitness,  for  he  found 
himself  wedged  in  between  Miss  lone  and  Miss  Storme. 
He  had  full  scope  for  his  fine  powers  of  entertaining,  as 
the  doctor  seemed  perfectly  indifferent  to  all  the  party. 
They  probably  thought  the  doctor  absorbed  in  some  pro- 
found problem  in  his  profession,  but  he  was  not  so  much 
more  profound  than  the  rest  of  mankind  ;  he  was  study- 
ing the  diagnosis  of  the  affection  of  the  "  brilliant,"  for 
Lieutenant  Saberin,  and  said  to  himself,  .„"  She  may  ad- 
mire him,  but  she  loves  some  cadet,  I  suppose  ; "  so  did 
not  put  himself  out  of  the  way  to  neglect  her,  for  the 
sake  of  Miniehaha,  as  Lieutenant  Storme  called  his  laugh- 
ing sister  ;  but  went  in  quite  a  professional  manner  from 
one  to  the  other,  as  if  they  were  sick  and  needed  his  most 
humane  attentions.  He  fulfilled  his  agreement,  to  walk 
up  with  Miss  Lou.  But  as  soon  as  they  reached  the  foot  of 
the  falls,  and  were  finding  seats,  the  doctor  said,  "  Here 
Miss  Smith,  this  is  a  pleasant  one,"  and  seated  himself  at 
her  feet.  It  was  a  relief  to  talk  to  a  stranger.  In  spite  of 
her  determination  to  enjoy  herself,  she  found  her  head  lull 
of  unpleasant  thoughts.  Cadet  Smith  had  just  got  out  of 
the  hospital  but  avoided  her.  Lieutenant  Mera  was  all  de- 
votion to  Miss  Hamilton,  and  apparently  unconscious  of  her 


Tactics;  or, 

presence,  and  Lieutenant  Saberin's  very  presence  was 
enough  ;  and  she  said  "  Thank  you  Doctor  Oglevie,"  lan- 
guidly, as  if  he  had  given  her  a  potion  to  cure  the  heart- 
ache. 

Accustomed  to  understand  the  tones  of  the  voice,  he 
said,  "  You  are  tired,  and  must  have  something.  What 
have  you  in  that  basket  ?  "  cried  he  to  Lieutenant  Storme. 

"  Some  good  things  generally  Doctor  Oglevie  ;  what 
will  you  have  ?  " 

"  Well,  let's  have  some  good  things  generally  !  " 

Lieutenant  Saberin  arose  and  opened  the  basket,  and 
laying  a  napkin  on  the  ground,  he  piled  one  thing  after 
another  upon  it.  "  Here  are  sandwiches,  tarts,  cake,  lem- 
ons, sugar,  tumblers  and  bottles." 

"  Ah,  I  will  take  a  cork-screw,  Lieutenant  Storme,  if 
you  have  one,  and  now  all  draw  round  the  festive  napkin," 
said  Lieutenant  Mera. 

Lieutenant  Storme  proposed  that  the  ladies  should  not 
be  permitted  to  taste  a  drop  of  the  nectar,  until  each  had 
sung  a  song.  A  glass  was  filled  and  held  towards  Miss 
Storme.  "  A  song,  a  song,"  called  the  gentlemen.  "  Not 
one  drop  until  you  sing,  Miss  Storme,"  holding  the  brim- 
ming little  Bohemian  glass  above  her  head,  threatening  to 
pour  its  contents  on  her.  She  sang  out  in  a  very  music- 
al voice,  "  A  great  big  bar,  came  out  de  wilderness,  out 
de  wilderness,  way  down  in  Alabam  — bam  —  bam  —  wa\ 
down  in  Alabam." 

Lieutenant  Storme  joined  in  the  chorus,  with  a  fine 
bass. 

Lieutenant  Saberin,  perfectly  delighted  with  the  gay 
little  lady,  knelt  as  he  handed  her  the  glass,  saying  very 
sentimentally, 

"  It  was  very  wrong 
To  say  I  would  deny  thee  anything, 
Be  not  angry  witli  me,  for  though  God 
Forgive  me,  I  could  ne'er  forgive  myself, 
If  I  brought  sorrow  to  thee  —  could  I  ?  " 

"  False  flatterer,  cease  !  "  said  she  waving  her  glass  at 
him. 


Cnpid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  153 

He  pressed  his  hand  to  his  heart,  and  said, 

"  It  is  my  fate 
To  love,  and  make  who  love  me  bate." 

"  O,  go  on,  go  on,  Miss  Storme,  give  him  the  rest ! " 
said  Lieutenant  Mera.  "  Miss  lone,  don't  you  remember 
Marian's  answer  ?  " 

"  No,  'tis  to  sue  • —  to  gain  —  deceive  — 
To  tire  of —  to  neglect  —  to  leave  ;  " 

Said   lone,   looking  most  meaningly  at  Lieutenant  Mera. 

"  I  vow,  I'll  hang  myself,"  said  Lieutenant  Saberin, 
"  and  never  speak  to  a  woman  again  !  " 

"  A  toast  to  the  ladies  from  Lieutenant  Mera,"  said 
Doctor  Oglevie. 

"  I  object,"  cried  Lieutenant  Mera,  "  The  doctor  must 
not  select  the  theme  ;  his  own  toast  shall  be  to  the  la- 
dies !  "  handing  him  the  glass. 

"  No,"  said  the  doctor,  "  Mera  first !  we'll  never  let  you 
off." 

Lieutenant  Mera  turned  and  bowed  to  lone. 

"  Here's  to  beauty's  finest  flower, 
The  maiden  of  my  own  birth-land  !  " 

lone  arose  and  acknowledged  it,  formally,  with  a  blush 
and  a  courtesy. 

Now  was  the  doctor's  turn,  and  all  expected  him  to  say 
something  very  smart  or  very  funny.  And  so  they  laugh- 
ed immoderately,  when  he  gave  "  Dinah  is  the  gal  for 
me!  M 

"  I  should  think  you  were  of  Southern  descent,"  said 
Miss  Lou." 

"  O,  yes  !  Well  do  I  remember  the  whites  of  those  ce- 
lestial orbs,  and  her  teeth  — 

'  Delicate  little  pearl-white  wedges, 
All  tiansparent  at  the  edges. '  " 


1-54  Tactics;  or, 

He  then  recounted  to  her  some  of  his  home  memories  in 
the  South.  One  after  another  strolled  off,  some  up  the 
falls,  others  across  the  brook  and  up  the  hillside,  and  till 
the  moon  arose,  and  the  time  arrived  for  the  boats  to  come 
for  them.  The  doctor  and  Miss  Lou.  had  made  astonish- 
ing headway  before  the  rest  returned.  Lieutenant  Saber- 
in  remained  at  Tone's  side  all  the  afternoon.  Lieutenant 
Mera  acquitted  himself  in  the  most  faultless  manner  with 
Miss  Hamilton,  and  Lieutenant  Storme  had  a  wild  flirtation 
with  Miss  Nora.  Once  more  on  the  water,  they  all  joined 
merrily  in  fun  and  song.  As  they  neared  the  shore,  they 
heard  the  band  playing  that  sweet  selection  from  "  The 
poet  and  peasant."  They  dipped  the  oars  to  listen.  lone 
was  charmed.  She  had  never  enjoyed  such  a  vision  of 
enchantment.  The  lull  of  the  water  on  the  little  boat ; 
the  glimmer  of  lights  on  the  hill-side  ;  the  delicious  notes  of 
the  band  stealing  down  through  the  summer  air  ;  the  grand 
dark  mountains,  surrounding  them  like  a  curtain  of  shade_, 
while  the  moon's  bright  crescent  formed  a  fitting  tiara  for 
the  brow  of  "  Cro'  nest "  —  all  combined  to  make  a  scene 
of  inimitable  beauty.  The  music  ceased,  the  boat  was 
moored,  and  the  weary  party  ascended  the  hill,  each  occu- 
pied with  their  own  thoughts.  They  said  adieu,  at  the 
hotel,  and  the  cool  breezes  fanned  to  sleep  tired  ones,  as 
they  stole  to  their  respective  couches. 

"  Right  (or  lefT)  Oblique.     2.  March." 

lone  determined  she  would  not  rest  until  she  had  seen 
Cadet  Smith,  and  had  an  explanation  with  him.  "  Why 
should  she  appear  in  such  a  false  light  to  him,  when  a  few 
words  might  make  them  friends  again  ?  "  This  dictated 
her  early  appearance  on  the  piazza  the  morning  after  the 
excursion  to  Indian  Falls.  She  hoped  to  see  some  one  she 
could  walk  out  to  "  guard-mounting  "  with,  but  there  was 
not  one  she  recognised,  and  she  had  fully  made  up  her 
mind  to  go  alone,  when  she  saw  Mrs.  Maryglot  coming 
through  the  hall.  "  Oh,  you  good  angel !  wont  you  come 
out  to  see  the  cadets  with  me  ?  "  cried  lone  rushing  at  her. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  155 

44  Yes,  my  dear ;  no  one  likes  to  go  to  see  the  boys  more 
than  I,  but  you  don't  want  the  whole  battalion  !  Who  do 
you  wish  to  see  ?  " 

"  Any  of  them  will  do,  dear  madam,  only  hurry,  or  we 
shall  see  none  at  all !  " 

They  were  soon  surrounded  by  the  handsome  young 
cadets,  looking  like  so  many  fresh  dolls.  lone  still  did  not 
see  Mr.  Smith  ;  he  was  there,  but  made  a  complete  circuit 
to  avoid  her.  After  a  little,  Madam,  who  had  felt  a  deep 
interest  in  him,  and  saw  her  pet's  eyes  roving  after  him, 
left  her  and  followed  him. 

"  How  are  you,  my  friend  ?  Has  your  accident  destroy- 
ed your  memory,  or  has  absence  obliterated  the  little  inter- 
est you  felt  in  your  friends  ?  " 

"  O,  no  !  "  he  answered,  bashfully." 

"  I  have  not  seen  you  at  the  hotel ;  I  thought  you  might 
at  least  have  come  to  thank  those  who  did  not  forget  you 
when  you  were  in  the  hospital." 

*  "  O,  Madam  !  am  I  indebted  to  your  great  kindness  for 
those  lovely  flowers  ?  they  were  the  only  bright  tilings  I 
saw,  all  the  time  I  was  there  ! " 

44  No,  no  !  they  did  not  come  from  me  ;  but  if  I  chose 
I  could  disclose  the  secret ;  but  after  such  neglect,  I  think 
I  will  keep  my  own  counsel." 

"  Please,  please,  Madam  !  I  will  show  you  how  grateful 
I  am  if  you  will  only  tell  who  I  am  to  thank.  Just  think 
how  I  must  appear  !  " 

"  Guess,  then,"  she  replied. 

44  Miss  Lizzie  Arnold  !  "  he  said  confidently. 

44  Lizzie  Arnold  !    Indeed,  they  never  came  from  her  !  " 

44  They  did  not  ?  O,  Mrs.  Maryglot,  I  have  wasted 
more  sweet  words,  and  divine  thoughts,  than  I  shall  ever 
have  to  spare  again  !  You  could  not  begin  to  count  them." 

44 1  am  truly  sorry  to  rob  Miss  Lizzie  of  such  a  garland, 
but  a  prettier  than  she  deserves  it." 

44  A  prettier  ?  You  cannot  mean  Miss  Smith  ?  "  said  he 
excitedly,  but  in  a  low  voice,  as  if  fearing  she  might  hear 
him. 


156  Tactics;  or, 

Madam  nodded. 

He  dropped  his  head  and  bit  his  lips,  as  if  he  would 
make  the  blood  spring  from  it.  "  O,  madam  !  how  can  I 
thank  her  ?  Will  you  help  me  out  of  this  ?  I  know  you 
will  !  Tell  me  what  to  do." 

"  Leave  me  frantically  !  as  if  you  had  just  discovered 
her,  and  cry  you  are  so  glad  to  see  her.  Don't  mention 
the  flowers,  but  ask  her  to  walk  this  evening,  and  then 
thank  her,  but  mind,  don't  tell  her  any  lies  !  " 

"  Splendid,  splendid  !  shall  I  go  now  ?  " 

"  Yes,  now  ! "  At  the  word  now,  he  sprang,  as  if  it 
had  been  a  command. 

lone  suspected  Mrs.  Maryglot  had  spoken  of  her  to  him, 
but  little  thought  he  was  acting  under  orders.  She  was 
content ;  she  had  accomplished  what  she  wished,  and  treat- 
ed him  in  the  kindest  manner,  but  when  he  asked  her  to 
walk,  she  laughed  and  said,  "  Do  not  let  us  meet  at  the 
hedge  again,  for  I  fear  I  shall  not  find  you." 

"  No  ;  in  the  north  parlor,  and  I  will  not  move  till  you 
come,  if  it  is  a  month !  "  He  walked  up  to  the  hedge 
with  them. 

lone  went  into  the  parlor,  and  could  not  resist  giving 
air  to  her  happiness  by  sitting  down  to  the  piano.  She 
played  superbly ;  and  this  morning  her  lightness  of  heart 
seemed  to  give  wings  to  her  fingers.  In  a  few  moments 
the  windows  and  doors  were  full  of  listeners  ;"  but  she  was 
perfectly  unconscious  of  everything  but  her  music. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  came  out  of  the  dining-room,  and  saw 
Lieutenant  Burlyton  standing  peeping  into  the  parlor,  be- 
hind the  door.  She  came  slily  up  and  said,  ''  Who  is  it?" 

Lieutenant  Burlyton  snapped  his  fingers  and  replied, 
"  Crackey  !  but  don't  she  play  like  young  David  ?  as  if 
the  very  d — 1  was  in  her  fingers  !  I  beg  your  pardon, 
madam,  but  I  suppose  you  may  have  heard  of  the  gentle- 
man before !  " 

*'  Let  me  see  who  it  is  !  "  said  she,  offended  at  his  rude- 
ness. She  pushed  open  the  door,  "  lone !  "  she  exclaimed 
so  loud  that  lone  started,  supposing  that  she  was  called. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  157 

Lieutenant  Burlyton  ran  into  the  room,  on  his  tip-toes, 
took  hold  of  the  corners  of  his  coat-skirts  and  made  three 
or  four  courtesies,  in  front  of  her.  She  now  saw  eyes  to 
the  right  of  her,  eyes  to  the  left  of  her,  eyes  in  front  of 
her,  and  eyes  all  around  her.  She  rose,  colored  deeply, 
and  making  a  stage-courtesy  to  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  ran 
into  the  breakfast  room.  Lieutenants  Saberin  and  Mera 
took  a  long  breath  as  they  turned  from  the  window,  and 
as  they  passed  the  dining-room  windows,  they  looked  in  and 
bowed  to  lone. 

"  Mera,  1  did  not  dream  she  played  so  finely." 

"  Nor  I ;  she  has  played  for  me  often,  in  Mrs.  Boba- 
line's  parlor,  but  only  agreeably." 

"  Do  you  know  I  think  she  is  a  consummate  actress,  Mera  ! 
And  I  am  always  wondering  what  she  will  astonish  us 
with  next." 

The  latter  arose,  and  went  to  meet  Madam  Maryglot, 
whom  he  saw  on  the  piazza,  to  see  if  he  could  find  out  a 
little  more  about  lone.  He  had  won  madam's  good  opin- 
ion by  his  uniformly  well-bred  deference  to  her.  She 
liked  to  talk  to  him.  "  Madam,  where  have  you  hidden 
yourself  this  long  time  ?  "  he  asked  in  a  most  interesting 
tone. 

"  O,  I  have  been  with  Miss  lone  to  see  the  cadets, 
and  since  then  to  my  breakfast,"  she  replied  shortly,  for 
she  was  so  thoroughly  a  woman  of  the  world  that  she 
knew  he  was  not  so  anxious  to  ascertain  how  she  spent  her 
time,  as  to  make  it  an  especial  errand  to  her. 

"  Then  you  missed  the  delicious  music  !  " 

"  No,  I  heard  enough  of  it.  I  like  better  to  hear  her 
converse." 

"  Do  you  know  anything  of  her  history  ? "  for  once 
asking  a  direct  question. 

"  Yes,  her  father  is  dead,  and  her  mother  lives  in  San 
Francisco,  where  they  removed  from  South  Carolina,  when 
she  was  a  little  girl ;  and  that  is  all  I  ever  heard." 

Lieutenant  Mera  stood  turning  the  signet  ring  on  his 
finger. 


158  Tactics;  or, 

"  Is  that  your  class  ring,  Lieutenant  Mera  ?  ' 
"  No,  but  a  ring  that  possesses  a  charm,  and  yet  I  am 
angry  whenever  I  look  at  it !     It  was  a  gift  from  my  moth- 
er ;  she  gave  it  to  me,  as  it  was  all  the  fortune  she  had  to 
leave  me." 

"  A  ring  ?  how  curious,  tell  me  more,"  and  she  took 
the  ring  and  examined  it  closely. 

"  There  is  nothing  to  tell.  It  came  from  her  only 
brother  who  was  immensely  rich,  and  died  in  the  East  In- 
dies, leaving  all  his  money  to  strangers,  not  a  sou  to  his 
sister  or  her  son." 

"  J.  A."  read  Mrs.  Marvglot,  "  what  does  that  stand 
for  ?  " 

"  For  Juan  Alcantara, —  it  is  my  name  too,  I  was  named 
for  this  uncle.  I  have  his  miniature  and  this  ring."  He 
mused  long  and  then  said,  "  Sometimes  I  think  I  would 
sacrifice  every  thing  for  the  power  that  wealth  gives !  and 
my  very  name  seems  to  remind  me  of  what  I  have  lost." 

"  You  can  easily  marry  money  !  such  a  fine  looking  fel- 
low as  you  are  ought  suerly  to  secure  a  good  market."' 

He  answered  in  a  husky  voice,  "  I  will  never  marrv  a 
woman  that  has  more  than  I  have,  and  that  would  be 
too  little  to  ask  any  woman  I  could  love,  to  live  upon. 
So  you  see,  madam,  my  fate,"  Single  Blessedness." 

"  O,  don't  talk  in  that  tearful  way  !  I  shall  think  you  a 
grown  up  bov ;  any  man  can  take  care  of  himself  and  a 
wife,  if  he  has  health  and  your  income.  Why  I  know 
many  clergymen  in  my  country  who  live  elegantly  on  less 
than  you  have." 

"  Yes,  but  they  live  on  faith  !  I  have  no  hope  in  this 
world,  or  that  which  is  to  come." 

"  Pray,  pray  !  you  talk  like  a  suicide  !  " 

He  smiled  sadly.     "  I'll  take  vour  advice,  madam." 

"  To  what,  to  kill  yourself?  " 

"  O  no, —  to  pray  !  "  and  he  left  her,  with  a  pleasant  lit- 
tle nod.  She  sat  and  watched  him  :  t;  I  have  no  one  to 
leave  my  money  to,  I  could  make  him  my  heir,  but  then 
the  young  scamp  would  only  wish  me  dead,  and  I  should 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  159 

be  like  the  poor  old  man,  who  left  an  empty  chest  with  a 
hammer  in  it,  and  a  line  saying,  *  He  who  gives  his  mon- 
ey before  he  is  dead,  had  better  take  this  hammer  and 
knock  himself  in  the  head  I '  :  These  sage  reflections 
brought  her  back  to  her  sober  senses,  and  she  prayed  de- 
voutly that  she  might  be  kept  from  such  an  act  of  insanity. 

"  To  march  to  the  front  in  double-quick  time." 

lone  and  Miss  Storme  came  out  arm  in  arm,  after  din- 
ner, and  a  man  with  half  an  eye  might  have  seen  there 
was  a  precious  secret  on  the  tapis. 

"  Now  lone,  I  want  you  to  promise  me  the  last  week  in 
August,  will  you  not  ?  " 

"  Is  there  anything  to  transpire  of  unusual  interest." 
Lou.  blushed  and  she  went  on.  "  Tell  me  now,  or  I'll  not 
promise  !  mamma  is  wild  to  have  me  home  before  the  cold 
weather." 

"  O,  I'll  tell  you  all,  I  don't  know  why  I  should  not. 
I  have  "  and  she  lowered  her  voice,  and  whispered  it  in 
lone's  ear,  "  I  have  accepted  Dr.  Oglevie  ;  I  think  he  is 
an  angel  of  a  man  !  and  brother  is  very  fond  of  him,  and 
when  I  go  home  —  if  papa  and  mamma  are  willing  —  \VP 
—  will  —  be  married  in  August !  You  looked  shocked  ! 
it  is  not  so  very  soon ;  mamma  knew  papa  only  eight 
weeks  !  Besides,  Dr.  O.  says  he  may  be  ordered  off — and 
then  —  why  we  should  be  all  married." 

lone  laughed  nervously. 

"  Now  I  want  you  my  third  bridesmaid  ;  brother  and 
Nora  are  to  serve,  and  cousin  Maria  and  Lieutenant  Mera, 
and  you  and  Lieutenant  Saberin,  the  very  perfection  of  a 
party.  Is  it  not  funny  that  it  should  be  the  whole  Indian 
Falls  party!  What  if  all  should  be  matches  !  Do  tell  me, 
are  you  affianced  to  the  proud  Lieutenant  Saberin?  " 

lone  turned  to  whisper  to  her,  and  caught  a  bite  of  her 
rosy  cheek  between  her  teeth. 

She  screamed  and  said,  "  Guilt,  guilt !  "  She  made  lone 
promise  to  serve. 


160  Tactics;   or, 

"  When  do  yon  leave  ?  "  said  she  sadly. 

"  Well,  brother  hopes  to  get  off  in  three  or  four  days  ; 
he  cannot  go  until  the  Board  leaves ;  those  horrid  '•planks ' 
as  the  cadets  call  them,  must  be  '  fired  off,'  before  any  one 
can  move  a  step." 

"  And  do  you  know  what  they  call  their  wives  and 
daughters  ?  "  laughed  lone.  "  They  call  them  '  shavings ' 
and  '  splinters'  and  '  slivers.'  " 

Lou.  shouted,  "  O,  that 's  dreadful ;  I  am  glad  I'm  not  a 
'  sliver.'  " 

The  two  girls  went  to  their  rooms  to  prepare  for  the  af- 
ternoon's campaign.  Miss  Lou.  was  to  go  from  Fort  Put- 
nam, serenade  with  Dr.  Oglevie,  and  lone  to  see  "  Flirta- 
tion," through  the  lens  of  a  cadet's  eyes. 

Mr.  Smith  would  not  permit  any  unpleasant  references 
to  be  made,  that  is  against  cadet  principles.  He  chatted 
on  as  if  there  had  been  no  break  in  their  agreeable  acquain- 
tance ;  he  culled  a  bunch  of  wild  flowers  and  tied  them 
with  grass,  insisting,  that  she  should  give  him  a  hair-pin  to 
arrange  them  in  her  hair.  A  French  maid  could  not  have 
done  it  better.  On  their  return  they  inspected  Fort  Clin- 
ton, just  reconstructed  ;  from  the  bastion  they  saw  cadets 
coming  out  on  the  plain  in  their  fatigue-jackets.  There 
was  to  be  fencing  and  bayonet  exercise,  and  they  wi-nt 
over  to  see  it.  They  found  Madams  Bobaline  and  Mary- 
glot,  Lieutenants  Mera  and  Saberin,  going  through  a  sim- 
ilar exercise ;  tongues  for  foils.  There  were  peals  of 
laughter  from  the  groups  of  spectators,  at  the  cadets.  All 
cried  well-done,  and  separated  in  high  glee. 

Cadet  Smith  walked  around  the  plain  with  lone,  to  the 
hedge,  "cutting  his  tea." 

She  asked  him  to  come  up  in  the  evening. 

He  regretted  he  had  not  put  in  a  permit,  but  perhaps, 
he  should  not  be  able  to  see  her  if  he  came. 

She  said  she  should  always  be  happy  to  see  him,  but 
now  he  had  lost  his  tea,  would  he  not  let  her  go  and  get 
him  some  cake. 

"  O,  no,  I  am  not  late  for  my  tea,  and  if  I  am,  Everton 
will  save  me  a  piece  of  bread." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  161 

"  A  piece  of  bread !  that  is  too  hard  !  Please  do  not 
leave  the  hedge  till  I  come  back,  or  I'll  sit  down  and  cry." 
She  flew  up  the  walk  to  the  dining-room,  whispered  to 
Mikey  to  hand  her  two  or  three  sandwiches  and  some 
cake,  in  a  napkin. 

Only  too  glad  to  execute  an  order  so  pleasantly  given, 
Mike  was  back  in  a  trice,  suspecting  it  was  for  some  favor- 
ite cadet. 

lone  did  not  dare  to  go  through  the  hall,  so  ran  down 
the  north  steps,  to  the  hedge.  As  she  passed  the  path 
leading  to  the  flag-staff,  she  saw  an  officer  coming  to  the 
hotel,  but  did  not  see  who  it  was. 

Cadet  Smith  took  the  napkin  and  said  it  was  '  manna  in 
the  wilderness,'  that  she  was  his  ministering  spirit,  etc. 
Everton  and  he  would  feast. 

As  she  entered  the  hall  she  saw  an  officer  standing  in 
the  shadow  of  the  door ;  she  could  not  distinguish  him, 
but  light  from  the  hall  falling  on  her  face,  enabled  him  to 
see  her  plainly  enongh.  She  did  not  like  to  feel  that  she 
was  watched,  and  with  an  unpleasant  sensation  around  her 
heart,  she  entered  the  supper-room.  Viola  was  not  there, 
but  lone  did  not  give  her  many  thoughts.  They  had 
grown  very  independent  of  each  other.  She  sat  at  her 
tea  some  time,  thinking  of  the  secret  that  had  been  con- 
fided to  her.  She  rose  from  the  table,  and  as  if  led  by  an 
invisible  hand,  made  her  way  through  the  crowded  hall  to 
the  north  door.  The  same  officer  still  leaned  against  the 
pillar  ;  he  had  evidently  been  looking  into  the  dining- 
room.  He  stepped  towards  her.  She  walked  rapidly 
away  and  seated  herself  in  an  empty  arm  chair,  near  a 
group  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  thinking  she  would  be  lost 
sight  of  by  him,  and  perhaps  could  see  who  he  was.  He 
soon  passed,  scanning  them  closely.  lone  saw  that  he 
thought  her  one  of  the  party.  He  passed  a  window,  the 
light  from  which  showed  it  was  the  Colonel. 

She  sat  wondering  whether  it  could  be  she  he  was  in 
quest  of,  or  was  he  looking  for  Viola.  He  reappeared,  and 
this  time  peered  into  the  ladies'  faces,  begging  pardon  each 


Tactics;  or, 

time,  saying  he  supposed  it  was  his  friend.  When  he 
came  to  lone  he  stopped.  "  I  have  been  in  search  of  you 
ever  since  parade  ;  have  vou  intentionally  evaded  me, 
Miss  lone  ?  " 

"  Indeed,  Colonel !  I  have  been  conscious  that  some  one 
was  on  my  track,  but  could  not  divine  who  the  dark  sha- 
dow was." 

"  Will  you  walk  ?  "  said  he,  not  noticing  what  she  said 
about  his  watching  her.  She  arose  and  took  his  offered 
arm.  "  Miss  lone,  I  have  good  news  for  you.  The  Board 
of  Visitors  are  going  to  give  the  graduating  class  a  hop 
to-morrow  evening,  and  I  am  in  doubt  whether  to  accept 
it.  Have  you  any  friend  you  would  like  to  meet  ?  " 

She  remembered  that  he  saw  her  come  up  from  the 
hedge,  and  replied,  "  O,  yes  !  I  have  a  number  of  friends 
I  should  like  to  see." 

"  Then  1  must  let  them  have  a  hop.  To-morrow  eve- 
ning the  Board  of  Visitors  will  give  the  first  class  a  hop, 
nominally,  but  in  fact  it  will  be  given  to  Miss  lone  by  the 
Colonel.  Will  you  accept  it  ?  " 

"  Yes,  indeed  !  anything  to  give  the  poor  fellows  a  little 
pleasure  !  " 

"  Poor  fellows  !  I  wish  we  poor  officers  could  manage 
to  awaken  a  little  sympathy." 

"  You  do  not  need  it,  and  they  do,"  she  said,  simply. 
"  What,  the  whole  corps,  or  only  the  poor  fellow  you 
were  playing  ministering  angel  to  a  few  moments   ago  ? 
Are  not  your  feet  damp  ?     I  must  inform  your  aunt  of 
this  little  clandestine  meeting  of  yours." 

"  She  will  not  care.  She  knows  that  I  am  old  enough 
to  take  care  of  myself." 

'•  Which  I  fear  Miss  lone  is  not,  on  West  Point.  You 
little  know  the  snares  and  wiles  practised  here.  Please 
let  me  be  your  protector?  I  know  the  young  men  on 
West  Point  pretty  well,  and  can  warn  and  advise.  Please 
come  to  me  at  any  time  when  you  are  in  doubt  as  to  what 
is  right  or  proper  !  ". 

lone  was  overwhelmed  with  his  condescension, —  an  offi- 


Cnpid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  163 

cer  of  his  rank  to  feel  any  interest  in  such  a  friendless 
young  girl !  How  very  kind  !  She  would  do  as  he  had 
requested,  and  come  to  him. 

He  found  retired  seats  for  them,  and  recounted  little  ro- 
mances of  his  "  victories  and  defeats,"  as  he  called  them, 
in  the  art  of  love.  But  he  was  too  old  now  to  marry,  but 
not  too  old  to  feel  an  interest  in  pretty  young  girls  such 
as  she  was. 

She  was  beguiled  into  thinking  the  Colonel  very  fascina- 
ting, but  frightened  when  she  found  it  was  eleven  o'clock. 
She  did  not  seek  Viola,  for  guilt  made  a  coward  of  her  •  she 
knew  she  had  no  right  to  be  talking  to  any  of  Viola's 
beaux.  The  Colonel  too  had  slipped  a  note  into  her  hand 
at  parting,  she  laid  it  on  her  bureau,  and  forgot  it  till  just 
as  she  was  going  to  sleep.  She  sprang  up  and  looked  at 
it.  It  was  a  bit  of  poetry. 

WHAT  THE  COLONEL  SAID  TO  HER. 

BY  GEORGE  P.  MOKRI8. 

"  All  that  man  should  be  to  woman, 

In  his  friendship  true, 
All  that  Holla  was  to  Cora, 

I  would  be  to  you  ; 
For  you  have  a  noble  nature, 

Golden  as  Peru. 

Don  Alonzo  married  Cora, 
Well  her  heart  he  knew, 
,  But  his  friendship  was  for  Rolla, 

Faithful,  leal  and  true  — 
Feelings  he  approved  in  Cora 
I  discern  in  you. 

In  this  strange,  romantic  story, 

My  devotion  view  ; 
Holla  gave  his  life  for  Cora 

And  Alonzo  too  — 
So  I,  with  the  same  motive, 

Peril  mine  for  you. 

Men  their  homage  pay  to  women, 
And  with  love  pursue  ; 


164  Tactics;  or, 

But  long  since  my  heart  forever 

Bade  to  love  adieu  :  — 
All  I  have  on  earth  is  friendship  — 

That  I  give  to  you." 

She  crushed  it  in  her  hand,  and  feared  him  ;  and  dread- 
ed to  see  him  on  the  morrow. 

"  To  face  about  in  Marching" 

lone  came  into  breakfast  late,  as  she  had  taken  a  long 
walk  with  Cadet  Smith,  after  "  guard  mounting."  Every 
one  she  knew  had  left  the  table,  except  Lieutenant  Alton. 

He  brought  his  plate,  and  asked  to  sit  by  her,  as  he 
wished  to  tell  her  about  all  the  prospective  gaiety  for  the 
next  four  day*s. 

She  greeted  him  with  pleasure.  "  Tell  me  what  and 
where !  " 

*'  To-night  the  '  Board,'  give  a  dance  to  the  first  class 
here.  To-morrow  night,  there  is  to  be  a  party  at  the  Su- 
perintendent's ;  and  the  evening  before  we  leave,  which 
will  be,  I  hope  the  next  again,  the  officers  give  one  at  the 
*  mess.'  " 

"  That  is  delightful !  But  what  shall  we  do  when  you 
are  all  gone  ?  " 

"  O,  you  will  have  Cadet  Smith  back,  and  we  expect  to 
return  in  August.  Old  Tempest  will  fugit ! "  lone 
laughed  at  the  free  translation.  Miss  lone,  will  you  give 
me  the  pleasure  of  being  your  escort  to-night  ?  " 

'  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  accept  your  invitation." 

"  Poor  Saberin  is  looking  pale,  he  feels  so  foolish  to  be 
eclipsed  by  a  second  class-man.  Which  is  the  accepted, 
Lieutenant  Saberin,  or  Cadet  Smith  ?  " 

She  looked  quite  indignant,  and  felt  deeply,  her  position. 
"  Why  should  you  speak  so,  Lieutenant  Alton  ?  They  are 
both  good  friends,  I  hope,"  she  admired  Lieutenant  Saberin 
more  than  any  officer  she  knew,  but  felt  that  "  conceal- 
ment was  a  sin  "  in  matters  of  such  moment,  and  yet  his 
avoiding  a  display  of  attention,  seemed  delicate,  and  was 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  165 

in  fact  a  thousand  times  more  charming  than  the  exhibi- 
tion of  an  announced  engagement.  She  hastened  to  join 
Viola  in  the  parlor,  who  greeted  her  haughtily.  "  Really 
lone,  I  shall  soon  need  an  introduction  !  I  suppose  you 
have  been  invited  to  the  hop,  this  evening  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Viola ;  there  is  to  be  one  to-morrow,  and  one  the 
next  night." 

"  Where,  who  told  you  ?  " 

"  At  the  Superintendent's,  and  at  the  officers'  *  mess.' 
Lieutenant  Alton  just  told  me." 

"  I  must  send  to  New  York  for  a  dress,  for  the  '  mess 
party,'  "  she  said  in  a  business-like  way.  "  Come  up  stairs 
and  help  me  to  select  what  I  shall  wear  to-night."  They 
ascended  to  Mrs.  Bobaline's  parlor. 

lone  threw  herself  on  the  lounge,  and  taking  the  comb 
from  her  hair,  it  fell  in  masses  of  curls  over  her  shoulders  ; 
she  glanced  in  the  glass  opposite,  and  thought,  "  that  is  be- 
coming, I'll  wear  it  so  to-night." 

Viola  emerged  from  the  bed-room  loaded  down  witli 
green  boxes.  She  opened  them  and  displayed  every  shade 
of  silk  and  tarleton,  one  could  imagine.  A  mazarin  blue 
tarleton  festooned  with  white  '  crush-roses,'  was  decided 
on.  "  Now,  lone,  select  your  dress  and  bring  it  in  for  me 
to  see."  lone  picked  up  "  Pickwick,"  and  started.  Viola 
cried  after  her,  "  Don't  take  that  book,  or  I'll  not  see  you 
again." 

She  promised  to  return  immediately,  and  sat  down  on  the 
floor  by  a  large  trunk  she  had  only  once  inspected  since 
she  came  to  West  Point  —  the  unhappy  evening  of  Mrs. 
Colde's  party.  The  crimson  silk  lay  on  the  top,  and  she 
thought  of  the  unmanly  way  in  which  Lieutenant  Saberin 
had  behaved  to  her  that  night,  —  now  she  was  engaged  to 
him  !  She  wondered  when  she  should  again  array  herself 
in  the  gay  habUr.  She  was  more  undecided  what  to  choose 
than  Viola,  for  her  dresses  almost  frightened  her  with 
their  gayety  and  elegance, —  she  dreaded  to  expose  them  to 
jealous  eyes.  She  lifted  one,  a  pink  tarleton  ;  it  looked 
like  a  rosy  foam-wreath,  "  This  will  do  ;  it  looks  more  like 


166  Tactics;  or, 

what  they  wear  here,"and  she  ran  in  to  show  it  to  Viola. 
She  examined  it  closely,  "  lone  this  is  very  lovely,  have 
you  any  more?" 

"  Yes,  mamma  has  put  up  evening  dresses  for  a  cam- 
paign !  " 

Madam  said,  "  You  must  show  them  to  me,  I  had  no  idea 
that  you  were  so  fancy,  in  San  Francisco  !  " 

"  Squad,  right  about"     2d.  March" 

lone  arrayed  herself  early,  and  sat  on  the  bed,  reading 
her  text  book,  "  Pickwick,''  it  was  a  great  comfort  to  her, 
these  days.  Mrs.  Bebaline  sent  her  niaid  in  for  lone,  she 
snatched  her  fan,  handkerchief,  and  gloves,  and  ran,  as 
there  was  no  time  to  lose,  if  Viola  was  ready. 

As  she  entered,  her  aunt  exclaimed,  "  How  lovely  your 
dress  is  !  and  your  hair  in  ringlets,  that  way  ;  you  look 
only  five  years  old  !  too  much  dress  for  a  party  given  in 
the  house  though."  She  must  say  something  to  take  the 
wind  out  of  lone's  sails,  and  draw  a  shadow  over  her  face. 
They  descended  to  the  north  parlor.  Lieutenants  Alton 
and  Saberin  soon  joined  them. 

The  latter  whispered  to  lone,  "  Why  have  you  cut  me 
to-night  ?  " 

"  You  did  not  ask  me,  and  Lieutenant  Alton  did." 

"  A  glorious  redowa,  Miss  lone,  may  I  have  the  pleas- 
ure ?  "  offering  her  his  arm ;  Lieutenant  Alton  bore  her 
off  in  triumph.  Mrs.  Bobaline  and  Lieutenant  Saberin 
soon  followed. 

Lieutenant  Mera  and  Miss  Hamilton  stood  in  the  door 
watching  the  dancing,  —  "  They  are  very  fine  looking,  are 
they  not,"  said  he. 

"  Who  ?  "  I  am  not  a  witch,  to  know  who  you  are 
thinking  of,"  she  said. 

"  The  Altons  and  Saberins  !  " 

"  Yes,  but.  they  ought  to  change  partners.  Lieutenant 
Alton  is  too  light  for  Miss  lone,  and  Mrs.  Bobaline  is  too 
dark  for  Lieutenant  Saberin." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  167 

"  Why,  must  light  and  darkness  blend  ?  that  would 
make  a  twilight !  " 

"  Always  !  that  softens  and  blends  the  two, —  don't  you 
see  ?  " 

He  looked  at  her  eyes  and  hair,  and  said  "  Please  make 
one  exception." 

She  looked  at  him  in  a  vacant  way,  and  said,  "  Every 
one  says  they  are  engaged." 

Lieutenant  Mera.  (Mentally.)  "Wasted  sweetness, 
'  Desert  air.'  '  (Aloud.)  "  Miss  Hamilton,  may  I  dance 
the  next  Lancers  with  you  ?  " 

She  accepted  with  a  very  sweet  smile. 

"  I'll  go  and  see  when  it  will  be."  He  left  her  and  sta- 
tioned himself  near  a  window,  where  he  could  watch  un- 
disturbed, Alton  and  Saberin,  and  their  beautiful  part- 
ners. Mrs.  Bobaline  rested  at  each  turn  of  the  room  ; 
but  lone  and  Alton  whirled  on,  like  tops.  When  Mrs. 
Bobaline  stopped,  Lieutenant  Mera  stepped  up  behind  her 
and  asked  for  the  next  dance. 

She  bowed  assent,  and  they  went  to  promenade  in  the 
hall. 

Lieutenant  Alton  set  off  for  the  piazza  with  lone,  and 
engaged  the  next  three  dances,  just  in  time  to  forestall 
Lieutenant  Saberin,  who  had  come  in  search  of  her. 

"  Miss  lone,  I  shall  claim  the  next  two  dances,"  said  he 
after  the  manner  of  one  who  had  authority. 

"  Indeed,  will  you  ?  "  said  Lieutenant  Alton,  "  She  has 
just  given  these  into  my  custody  !  " 

Lieutenant  Saberin  looked  daggers  at  the  handsome, 
blue-eyed  Alton,  who  smiled  listlessly,  and  slowly  saunter- 
ed to  the  dancing  room.  Lieutenant  Saberin  said  to  him- 
self, "  She  is  a  flirt,  but  she  has  found  her  match  !  " 

lone  regretted  what  she  had  done,  but  it  was  too  late  ; 
and  she  could  do  nothing  but  finish  her  dances  in  a  very 
distracted  way,  with  Lieutenant  Alton.  At  last  her 
"  bonny  boys  in  grey  "  came  to  her  rescue.  Cadet  Allen 
rushed  up  to  claim  his  dance,  and  asked  her  to  go  out  on 
the  piazza,  as  he  had  something  grand  to  show  her.  They 


163  Tactics;  or, 

hastened  to  the  north  piazza.  There  he  stepped  where  the 
light  from  the  window  fell  upon  him,  and  stooping,  turned 
up  the  bottom  of  his  pantoloons,  and  shewed  her  his  boots. 
"  Real  boots,  with  red  kid  tops,  Miss  lone  !  "  putting  his 
heels  together,  and  rising  on  his  toes,  while  holding  still, 
on  his  pantaloons. 

lone  clapped  her  hand  over  her  mouth,  to  save  the  as- 
sembled people  from  an  electric  shock.  Redowa,  Gallop, 
Mazurka,  and  Waltz,  were  flown  through  by  lone  and  her 
mad  partners,  and  then  came  the  "  March  "  through  the 
hall,  around  the  piazza,  in  "  double-quick-time." 

As  soon  as  Lieutenant  Alton  saw  her  at  liberty,  he  ex- 
ecuted one  of  "  Lord  Dundreary's  little  wuns  "  to  secure 
her  for  the  Virginia  Reel.  "  Miss  lone,  I  wish  you  lived 
round  at  the  gate,  or  at  Castle  Cozzens." 

"  How  so  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  That  I  might  have  the  very  great  felicity  of  escorting 
you  home  ! " 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  wish  she  lived  down  at  *  Buttermilk,'  that 
would  be  a  longer  walk,"  said  Lieutenant  Burlyton. 

When  the  dance  commenced,  lone  found  the  little  Na- 
poleon at  the  foot  of  the  dance.  As  she  advanced  to 
meet  him  in  the  reel,  she  said,  "  You  have  not  spoken  to 
me  this  evening,  Lieutenant  Mera." 

"  No,  Miss  lone  ;  you  have  been  so  surrounded." 

When  they  met  again,  —  "I  determined  to  have  one 
dance  with  you,  so  I  took  this  position  ! " 

She  acknowledged  the  compliment  by  a  smile,  which  she 
saw  was  noticed  by  Lieutenant  Saberin.  As  they  left  the 
room,  lone  called  Lieutenant  Saberin  to  her,  and  said 
tremulously,  "  Will  you  take  me  to  the  party,  to-morrow 
evening  ?  " 

"  Most  certainly,  Miss  Smith  !  "  said  he,  very  stiffly. 

She  felt  relieved  at  the  prospect  of  making  all  straight 
again,  and  said  "  Good  night,"  in  her  sweetest  tones. 
She  ascended  the  stairs,  "  wondering  why  lovers  alwa}rs 
made  each  other  unhappy." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  169 


"  TITLE  THIRD." 

"  SCHOOL  OF   THE  COMPANY." 

"  Lesson  First.     To  open  ranks" 

The  Superintendent's  quarters  were  thronged  with  the 
gay  and  beautiful.'  Brocades  and  diamonds  ;  tarleton  and 
pearls  ;  swiss-muslin,  and  coral ;  black  coats,  and  white 
kids ;  blue  coats,  scarlet  sashes,  and  epaulettes ;  grey 
coats,  bell  buttons,  and  chevrons,  mingled  in  one  grand 
mele'e.  But  of  all  the  assembled,  none  were  more  elegant 
than  the  guests  we  shall  escort  thither. 

The  crowd  near  the  door  stood  aside  to  admit  Madam 
Bobaline,  lone,  the  Colonel,  and  Lieutenant  Saberin. 
Madam  in  her  full  bridal-robes,  leaned  on  the  arm  of  the 
Colonel,  as  if  she  were  that  moment  being  led  to  the  altar  ; 
and  lone  the  perfection  of  loveliness,  in  white,  her  curls 
caught  up  with  a  pearl  oomb,  looked  like  a  timid  young 
brides-maid.  They  had  some  difficulty  to  find  the  Super- 
intendent, as  the  dancing  had  commenced. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  promenaded  leisurely  up  and  down 
the  parlors,  much  to  the  discomfiture  of  the  dancers,  and 
admiration  of  those  he  made  to  "  stand  round."  lone,  a 
belle  to-night,  received  attention  from  every  one  she  knew, 
except  Lieutenant  Alton,  who  seemed  to  have  forgotten 
that  he  had  ever  seen  her.  It  might  have  been  that  he 
was  very  much  occupied  in  exercising  his  ingenuity  to 
keep  a  young  belle,  a  beautiful  dancer,  in  a  window,  con- 
versing on  matrimony,  as  the  night  was  too  warm  for  the 
young  gentleman  to  feel  equal  to  the  exertion  of  dancing, 
and  he  showed  consummate  skill  in  keeping  one  of  the  finest 
dancers  in  the  room,  spell-bound  at  his  side. 

At  supper  Madam  Maryglot  chanced  to  be_near  lone. 
As  Lieutenant  Saberin  left  her  he  asked,  "  What  shall  I 
8 


170  Tactics;  or, 

bring  you.  A  kiss  ?  "  She  smiled  and  said  "  Yes." 
"  '  Vae  victis,'  that's  Latin,"  whispered  one  over  her  shoul- 
der, so  suddenly  it  gave  her  a  chill. 

"  I  do  not  understand ! "  she  retorted  back  over  the 
same  shoulder. 

'•  But  why  blush,  ma  petite  ?  c'est  une  affaire  flambe'e." 

"  You  did  not  suppose  we  were  in  earnest,  madam ! 
you  are  unmerciful." 

"  Xo  I'm  not,  '  mais  ily  a  dans  cette  scene  beau-coup  de 
pathetique.'  ' 

"  O,  madam  !  what  should  I  say  ?  " 

"  You  are  beautiful  to-night,  but  I  suppose  you  know  it. 
Madam  Viola  regrets  you  receive  so  much  attention  from 
1'atout.  as  you  will  occasion  remark." 

"  Did  Viola  speak  to  you  of  it?"  please  tell  me  what 
she  said." 

"Xo,  no  I  jealous  ;  that's  what  she  is,  You're  a  little  too 
young  and  a  shade  to  pretty !  Go  ahead,  and  take  all  the 
kisses  you  can  get." 

Lieutenant  Saberin  returned  before  lone  could  reply, 
and  spoke  to  madam  very  pleasantly. 

"  This  is  the  first  officer,  I  have  had  a  speak  at  this  eve- 
ning !  I  have  been  dependent  on  those  '  beams,'  as  the  ca- 
dets call  them,  for  all  my  information.  One  might  as  well 
be  at  Saratoga  or  any  other  stupid  place,  if  one  is  not  to 
see  an  officer." 

He  laughed  and  said,  "  Which  will  you  have,  madam  ? 
I  will  get  the  Colonel  to  detail  him  for  especial  duty !  " 

"  Lieutenant  Mera,"  said  she, — "  where  is  Ursa  Minor, 
this  evening  ?  ;' 

"  He  is  at  present  among  the  stars  ;  having  given  too 
much  attention  to  the  dipper,"  said  he,  bitterly. 

"  Wretch,"  exclaimed  she,  "  Do  vou  dare  to  say  he  is 
drunk  ? " 

Lieutenant  Saberin  humbly  begged  pardon,  but  he  only 
meant  to  carry  out  the  astronomical  figure. 

"  Look  aut  that  you  don't  have  to  be  carried  out  your- 
self!" responded  she  indignantly. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  171 

As  they  left  the  supper-room,  Viola,  who  was  leaning 
on  the  arm  of  a  senator,  stopped  lone,  and  asked  her  to 
accompany  her  to  the  dressing-room,  under  cover  of  ad- 
justing her  apparel,  but  in  reality  to  get  away  from  her 
senator,  and  stand  a  chance  of  getting  Lieutenant  Saber- 
in,  as  she  knew  that  he  would  wait  for  them.  She  was 
desperate,  and  determined  that  lone  should  not  take  her 
particular  property  away  from  her  any  more  ;  •  and  she  did 
tell  her  so  while  poor  lone  was  replacing  a  pin  in 
Viola's  dress  that  she  had  taken  out  herself.  "  lone,  I 
am  shocked  at  you,  for  monopolizing  Lieutenant  Saberin  to 
such  a  bare-faced  extent ;  it  may  flatter  him,  but  he  is  too 
much  a  man  of  the  world  not  to  feel  contempt  for  you ;  he 
knows  that  after  a  certain  length  of  time,  a  young  lady's 
pride  and  good  taste  ought  to  dictate  that  she  should  leave 
him  of  her  own  accord  !  It  is  not  likely  he  is  going  to  be 
amused  and  pleased  at  being  detained  at  the  side  of  a 
child.  You  should  be  more  considerate  for  me,  he  has  not 
had  a  moment  to  speak  to  me  this  evening  ;  he  is  an  old 
friend  of  mine,  and  I  expect  a  certain  amount  of  respect 
from  him  in  public  !  the  lack  of  that  will  cause  remark, 
and  your  behavior  will  bring  clown  every  tongue  on  you  ! 
Miss  Vera  Colde  was  so  very  impertinent  as  to  open  her 

§reat  eyes  on  me,  and  ask  who  you  were,  that  Lieutenant 
aberin  danced  attendance  on  you  so  meekly  !  So  you 
see  !  and  it  is  only  because  he  did  not  wish  to  attract  at- 
tention to  me,  in  my  husband's  absence,  that  he  attends 
you,  but  I  don't  intend  to  give  him  up  to  you  !  "  She  had 
run  on  in  such  a  frantic  way  that  she  did  not  think  how 
loudly  she  spoke,  nor  regard  lone's  flashing  eye,  and  crim- 
son cheek. 

When  she  finished,  lone  said  in  a  low  tone,  "  I  have  a 
rinjht  to  Lieutenant  Saberin's  attentions  !  "  and  ran  past 
Lieutenant  Mera  in  the  hall,  down  the  stairs. 

If  Lieutenant  Saberin  had  not  heard  one  word,  her 
changed  appearance  would  have  told  the  tale.  She  looked 
wondrously  beautiful ;  she  was  the  pearl  changed  to  the 
flashing  diamond. 


172  Tactics;  or, 

If  you  have  improved  madam's  appearance  as  much 
as  she  has  yours,  she  should  be  much  obliged  to  you,"  said 
he  scornfully. 

"  Lieutenant  Saberin,  will  you  grant  me  one  favor  ?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  I  cannot,  Miss  lone." 

"  How  do  you  know  till  I  tell  you  ?  It  will  make  me 
happy ;  1  think  that  might  make  you  do  it." 

"  Tell  it,  lone." 

"  I  wish  you  never  to  speak  to  me  in  my  aunt's  pres- 
ence, or  show  me  any  more  than  the  coldest  civility." 

"  Never  speak  to  you  !  that  would  be  extraordinary  in- 
civility, I  could  not  be  that  to  any  one,  certainly  not  to  my 
sweet-heart,  ma  petite  fiancde,"  he  replied,  tenderly  press- 
ing the  hand  that  rested  on  his  arm. 

lone  felt  a  thrill  of  pleasure  and  pride  in  her  veins  that 
was  a  new  sensation  to  her,  she  was  beloved  !  She  look- 
ed down  on  his  hand,  the  diamond  glittered  there. 

"  What  a  superb  ring !  "  she  observed.  And  the 
thought  that  perhaps  it  was  an  engagement  ring  for  her- 
self, flashed  before  her  mind,  creating  an  unusual  halo 
there. 

"  That  ?  that  a  very  dear  friend  put  on  my  finger,  when 
we  parted,  perhaps  —  forever,"  said  he,  with  an  awkward 
attempt  at  a  melancholy  tone. 

'*  Where  have  they  gone  ?  "  asked  she  innocently,  in- 
terested by  the  tone  of  his  voice. 

"  They  live  a  long  way  from  here  !  —  and  —  and  I  am 
to  return  it,  if  I  ever  see  them  again." 

"  Does  it  belong  to  two  people  ?  "  laughed  she  like  a 
child. 

"  Yes,  it  belongs  to  me  now,  and  my  friend  when  we 
meet,"  he  replied  playfully,  as  if  speaking  to  a  child. 

She  raised  her  eyes  to  his  and  looked  him  fully  in  the 
face  for  the  first  time. 

He  felt  that  she  was  reading  his  heart,  with  a  woman's 
intuition,  and  dropped  his  eyes. 

"  How  guilt,  once  harbor'd  in  the  conscious  breast, 
Intimidates  the  brave,  degrades  the  great  !  ' ' 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  173 

"  Come  little  one !  I  want  the  *  old  Virginnay  never 
tire,'  with  you,"  said  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  rushing  up. 
He  took  lone's  hand,  drew  it  in  his  arm  and  started  off 
with  her,  making  a  hideous  grimace  over  his  shoulder,  in 
return  for  the  brow-beating  Lieutenant  Saberin  was  try- 
ing to  inflict  on  him. 

"  You  are  so  funny,  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  I  always 
make  ready  a  laugh  when  I  see  you  coming  !  " 

"  And  you  are  a  beauty,  so  that  just  makes  it ;  we  two 
together,  are  beauty  and  the  beast !  What  was  that 
humbug  of  a  Saberin  saying,  to  make  you  look  so  amazed  ? 
Tell  me  as  you  would  a  father,  and  I  may  be  able  to  pro- 
tect you  against  the  wiles  of  the  adversary,  as  the  Colonel 
says  to  all  the  young  girls  he  wants  to  interest  in  him." 

She  looked  frightened,  "  Does  he  really  talk  that  way 
to  every  one  ?  " 

"  Ha,  ha  !  has  he  been  talking  so  to  you,  little  innocent  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  did  you  know  I  believed  him  !  " 

"  That's  right,  my  dear,  believe  everything  everybody 
says  to  you." 

"  I'll  not  except  Lieutenant  Burlyton  !  " 

u  O  yes,  accept  him  when  he  proposes,  you  could  not 
get  a  finer  fellow  !  "  Right  merrily  flew  the  k'  viewless  spir- 
its of  lovely  sounds,"  right  merrily  flew  the  tiny  feet  in 
response. 

"  Through  every  pulse  the  music  stole, 

And  held  sublime  communion  with  the  soul ; 
Wrung  from  the  coyest  breast,  the  imprisoned  sigh, 
And  kindled  rapture  in  the  coldest  eye  !  " 

Lieutenant  Burlyton  stopt  breathless.  "  This  must  be 
the  music,"  said  he  "  of  the  spears,  for  I'm  blest  if  each 
note  of  it  doesn't  run  through  one." 

lone  and  he  danced  like  wild  creatures  ;  never  was  the 
'  Virginia  '  entered  into  with  more  spirit.  The  clock  in 
the  tower  struck  two  as  they  left  the  gate.  Lieutenant 
Saberin  whispered,  "  Good-night !  don't  let  anything 
trouble  you,  I  heard  all  she  said  to  you.  l  Sweet  be  your 
slumbers,'  and  dream  of  me  !  " 


174  Tactics;  or, 

"  2.     Alignments  in  open  Ranks." 

This  day  was  truly  eventful.  lone  found  the  diplomas 
were  to  be  given  in  the  afternoon,  then  "  the  last  parade  !  " 
The  officers  gave  "  the  Board,"  a  hop,  and  on  the  mor- 
row —  lone  was  not  happy  —  this  was  the  last  day  she 
should  see  many  pleasant  friends  she  had  made.  On  the 
morrow  the  first  and  furlough  classes  would  leave  ;  she 
had  friends  in  both.  There  were  many  pleasant  ladies  she 
knew,  who  were  going.  Miss  Storme  and  Miss  Hamilton 
were  going,  and  would  take  cheerful  Lieutenant  Storme 
and  the  agreeable  doctor  with  them.  Lieutenant  Saber- 
in,  Alton,  and  Mera,  all  going !  She  could  not  define  her 
feelings  with  regard  to  Lieutenant  Saberin.  She  certainly 
was  sad,  but  was  it  for  him  ?  It  was  strangely  mixed  up 
with  the  grief  she*  felt  at  parting  with  others.  Was  it 
just  to  him  ?  Did  she  feel  the  thrill  of  anguish  she  ought 
to  feel  at  the  thought  that  she  might  never  see  him  again  ? 
She  was  sorry  Lieutenant  Mera  was  going,  yet  he  had 
been  more  distant  and  indifferent  than  any  of  the  officers. 
She  must  not  think  of  him  again,  but  must  look  her  pret- 
tiest for  her  lover's  handsome  sake.  O,  yes  !  now  for  her 
regal  robes,  her  rarest  jewels,  daintest  gloves,  and  sweet- 
est smiles.  A  dip  into  Pickwick,  and  laughing  and  crying 
by  turns  —  all  the  morning.  Her  dear  cadets  could  not 
come  to  her,  they  had  to  pack  their  trunks,  and  try  on  their 
boots.  But  after  dinner  they  would  be  up  like  so  many 
honey-bees,  gathering  honey,  and  golden  spoils  from  all. 

lone  dressed  early  and  went  to  Madam  Maryglot's  room. 
As  she  entered  Madam  exclaimed,  "  Lo  !  the  rajah-pootna 
bride  !  You  outshine  the  lilies  in  your  whiteness." 

"  Am  I  too  white,  madam  ?  I  wished  to  look  my  best, 
and  chose  this." 

"  Can  a  swan  be  too  white,  my  dear  ?  No,  no  !  cela 
vous  va  bien  :  "  you  are  lovely  in  it." 

"  O,  Madam  !  you  are  the  only  one  who  praises  me, 
and  I  am  getting  to  love  it,  I  fear.'' 

"  Because  I  am  the  only  one  who    speaks  my  mind, 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  175 

dear.  lone  sat  clown  on  the  carpet,  at  the  side  of  Mad- 
am's bed,  and  said  in  a  sad  tone,  "  Lieutenant  Mera  is 
going  a\vay  to-morro\v,  Madam." 

"  What's  that  to  thce,  honey?  get  up  off  the  floor,  you 
will  ruin  your  dress  !  " 

"  No,  it  does  not  rumple  :  but  oh,  my  heart  aches  so !  " 

"  Heart  ?  does  it  ?  Have  you  seen  Lieutenant  Saberin 
to-day  ?  "  for,  despite  every  other  consideration,  she  loved 
to  see  her  pet  with  the  finest  looking  officer  on  the  Post. 

"  No,  madam :  I  don't  know  but  it  is  that,  but  parting 
makes  a  fool  of  me.  It  don't  matter  who  goes." 

'•  Who  takes  you  to  the  party,  to-night  ?  "  she  asked  in 
a  lawyer-like  way. 

"•  No  one  has  asked  me  yet." 

"  Did  not  he  speak  of  taking  you,  when  you  were  with 
him,  last  night  ?  " 

"  No." 

"  How  strange  !  " 

"  Nothing  is  sti'ange  on  West  Point." 

"  True,  true,  child  !  —  we  are  on  West  Point." 

"  I  hope  a  cadet  will  ask  me,  if  Lieutenant  Saberin  is 
so  very  indifferent.  Madam  Maryglot,  what  do  you  think 
Lieutenant  Saberin  cares  for  me,  — '  a  child,  and  a  poor, 
unfriended  girl,'  as  Viola  says."  • 

"  Did  she  say  that  ?  " 

lone  told  her  all :  all  the  tantalizing  comments,  &c.,  for 
her  full  heart  was  ready  to  burst,  with  its  burden. 

Madam  assumed  a  look  of  overwhelming  sorrow  for  her 
darling.  After  a  struggle  superhuman  in  its  greatness, 
one  "  that  might  have  created  a  soul  under  the  ribs  of 
death,'"  she  sat  down  and  gazed  on  lone.  The  girl  look- 
ed up. 

"  Do  you  think  he  could  have  heard  that  I  was  rich  ?  " 

"  No  matter,  whether  he  has  or  not !  "  She  spoke  low, 
and  in  a  verv  desperate  way.  "  You  are  rich  !  " 

•'Did  Viola  tell  you?  " 

"  Viola  ;  no  !  but  I  will  make  you  rich  !  be  as  a  daugh- 
ter to  me,  and  you  shall  have  mv  property  ;  don't  inter- 


176  Tactics;  or, 

rupt  me.  I  say,  if  you  will  be  my  daughter,  I  will  make 
you  my  heiress,  and  at  my  death  you  shall  inherit  —  a 
thousand  pounds  a  year. 

lone  smiled,  a  miserable  little  smile,  and  hesitated. 

"  You  think  that  is  '  waiting  for  a  dead  man's  shoes  !  ' 
eh  ?  but  I'll  give  you  a  marriage  portion  now." 

"  Darling  Mrs.  Maryglot !  I  should  have  been  ingenu- 
ous with  you  before,  such  a  dear,  good  generous  friend  as 
you  have  been  to  me.  I  am  rich,  to  the  most  fabulous  de- 
sire of  my  poor  unsatisfied  heart." 

"  Mrs.  Maryglot  sat  up  and  looked  at  her.  "  What  do 
you  mean  ?  you  unworldly  spirit !  " 

"  O,  I  mean,  that  when  mamma  was  very  young  she 
was  engaged  to  a  sort  of  person,  he  in  a  pet,  because  her 
mother  would  not  let  her  marry  so  young,  sailed  away  to 
Pekin.  It  was  long  enough  after  my  inconstant  mamma 
was  married,  that  she  heard  from  him  again,  and  then  it 
was  to  leave  all  his  money  to  mamma's  oldest  child.  Such 
a  freak !  But  I  never  speak  of  it.  I  don't  know  why  ; 
every  one  knows  it  where  I  live,  and  only  that  Viola  kept 
telling  me  that  I  must  look  to  getting  myself  settled  in  the 
world  to  relieve  my  dear  mamma  of  me,  I  should  have 
told  her  I  suppose,  but  when  I  found  she  did  not  know 
about  it,  and  I  did  not  care  what  others  thought,  I  was  de- 
termined not  to  say  a  word,  but  see  if  some  one  would  not 
love  the  poor  girl !  Was  I  foolish  ?  " 

"  No,  by  Jupiter !  "  cried  the  delighted  old  lady,  with 
tears  in  her  eyes.  Was  she  glad  she  had  played  at  a  ro- 
mance, and  saved  her  money  too  ?  I  don't  know.  She 
"  rumpled "  lone's  hair,  throwing  her  arms  around  her. 
How  much  colder  is  worldy  pity,  than  worldy  pride  ! 
there  is  no  shyness  in  the  exhibition  of  the  last  mentioned. 
u  What  was  that  man's  name?"  she  asked  as  soon  as  her 
worldy  wisdom  returned  to  its  citadel. 

"  A  splendid  name  ;  Juan  Alcantara.  I  can  never  for- 
give mamma,  for  not  waiting  for  him.  Then  I  should 
have  been  Miss  Alcantara,  instead  of  Miss  Smith." 

Mrs.  Maryglot  repeated, 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  177 

"  What  fates  impose,  that  man  must  needs  abide, 
It  boots  not  to  resist  both  wind  and  tide  !  " 

"  Madam  I  am  the  victim  of  circumstances,"  said  lone 
in  a  desponding  tone. 

"  In  that  your  name  is  not  Alcantara  ?  " 

"  No ;  in  that  my  name  will  be  Saberin." 

"  Why  don't  you  wait  till  you  find  an  Alcantara  ?  " 
said  madam  thoughtfully. 

"  I  will !  "  said  lone,  starting  to  her  feet  with  one  bound, 
"  An  Alcantara  knows  how  to  love  !  " 

"  Alcantara  ?  Lieutenant  Mera  —  "  she  started  and  said 
"  Quelqu  'un  a  la  porte !  "  lone  opened  the  door,  and 
was  handed  a  card  with  the  names  of  three  of  her  cadet 
friends  on  it.  "  I  thought  you  said  Lieutenant  Mera  was 
at  the  door,  does  he  call  on  you  ?  "  laughed  lone  in  child- 
ish glee.  Shadows  fled  from  her  brow  like  mist  before  the 
rising  sun  !  she  had  untied  the  heavy  load  from  her  shoul- 
ders, and  it  had  fallen.  She  had  a  friend  !  And  the 
light  had  penetrated  her  soul,  that  she  need  not  marry  till 
she  chose  to  do  so.  Viola  had  intoned  so  many  axioms 
about  the  positive  necessity  of  any  young  lady  marrying 
the  first  man  that  offered  himself,  and  saying  thank  you-! 
particularly  a  poor  widow's  daughter,  that  she  began  to 
imagine  herself  in  such  a  case.  But  after  comparing  her 
own  independence  with  that  of  Madam  Maryglot,  she  be- 
gan to  think  herself  somebody  ;  but  she  shrank  from  the 
notoriety  that  an  announcement  of  this  would  expose  her 
to,  and  that  Lieutenant  Saberin  would  never  release  her 
in  the  world,  she  threw  the  card  on  the  bed,  and  went  at 
Mrs.  Maryglot  like  a  highway-woman :  "  Mrs.  Maryglot, 
1  would  give  my  life,  that  I  had  not  told  you  !  I  beseech 
you  not  to  divulge  it,  or  I  am  irretrievably  lost !  Lieuten- 
ant Saberin  will  never  give  me  up,  and  I  would  rather  be  any 
servant  in  this  house,  than  be  married  for  my  money  !  " 

Mrs.  Maryglot  was  in  too  good  a  state  of  mind  not  to 
promise  every  thing  she  demanded.  She  made  her  bathe 
her  face  in  old  cologne,  and  pearl  powder  it,  and  promised 
to  follow  in  a  few  moments,  and  guard  her  secret  as  an 


173  Tactics ;   or, 

eagle  guards  her  young.  After  her  departure,  the  fine 
old  finasseuse  sat  down  and  laid  all  her  plans,  like  a  Na- 
poleon premier.  Mrs.  Maryglot  was  to  go  to  see  the  diplo- 
mas given,  with  lone,  as  Viola  was  to  rest  all  the  after- 
noon, to  look  her  brightest  in  the  evening. 

"  3.     Manual  of  Arms.  " 

The  cadets  proved  to  be  three  of  Tone's  friends,  and  the 
adjutant,  her  new  acquaintance.  Cadet  Smith  invited  her 
to  go  to  the  library  with  him,  and  soon  Mrs.  Maryglot 
joined  them,  and  they  hastened  to  secure  seats.  The 
Colonel  politely  designated  a  seat  to  lone  and  madam,  the 
young  men  going  to  their  class.  lone  was  delighted. 
She  had  always  thought  the  library  grand,  but  to-day  it 
was  bright  with  decorations,  and  crowded  with  happy 
faces.  There  was  a  platform  erected,  on  it  sat  the  digni- 
fied and  honorable  of  the  Post ;  —  General  Scott,  our  sec- 
ond Washington  ;  the  martial  but  urbane  Superintendent ; 
the  Professors,  reminding  one  of  the  Roman  senators ;  the 
courtly  Colonel ;  the  Board  of  Visitors,  and  the  graduating 
class.  The  rest  of  the  room  was  crowded  with  the  offi- 
cers' families,  and  distinguished  persons  from  abroad,  the 
other  classes  of  cadets  in  the  gallery.  The  band,  a  fine 
military-looking  body  of  men,  could  be  seen  above  the 
beautiful  portrait  of  General  Scott,  draped  with  flags. 
The  President  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  addressed  the 
young  men  about  to  receive  their  diplomas,  in  the  words 
of  a  father.  "  A  most  wise  and  touching  appeal,"  madam 
pronounced  it.  The  superintendent  then  in  a  very  felici- 
tous manner,  distributed  the  diplomas  they  had  toiled  so 
long  for,  and  now  prized  more  than  untold  wealth.  The 
band  played  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner."  Then  follow- 
ed the  greetings : —  the  congralulations  !  while  each  cadet's 
eye,  glowing  with  proud  feeling,  seeks  his  reward  in  the 
delight  and  interest  pictured  on  the  fair  face,  or  the  pa- 
rental one  he  loves  best.  Alas  for  those  on  whose  hearts 
those  sacred  feel  in  as  have  to  be  crushed  back  !  There 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  179 

were  those  there,  but  not  to  croak  at  such  a  time.  They 
each  found  the  young  lady  they  admired  most  at  that  par- 
ticular time,  to  place  in  her  hand  his  diploma.  This,  the 
proudest  moment  the  young  soldier  ever  sees,  makes  him 
an  Alexander  in  his  own  eyes,  and  in  many  other  dancing 
pair  brighter  than  a  victory,  for  it  is  a  victory  without  a 
regret, —  no  remorse,  no  haunting  faces  of  the  slain,  nor 
regrets  for  their  heart-broken  dear  ones  ! 

lone  had  a  diploma  to  read,  and  thought  Smith  looked 
very  imposing  on  parchment.  They  two  excused  them- 
selves to  Mrs.  Maryglot,  and  went  to  walk,  till  parade. 
That  last  parade  !  There  are  moments  when  one's  na- 
ture resembles  the  ground  prepared  for  the  seed,  all  soft- 
ened and  touched  to  tears  by  a  breath  of  perfume,  a  note 
of  music,  an  evening  sky,  —  anything  that  reminds  one 
of  the  past,  or  points  to  the  shadowy  future  !  lone  stood 
entranced,  as  she  heard  the  sweet  notes  of  "  Auld  lang 
syne,"  great  tears  filled  her  eyes.  "  Home,  sweet  home  !  " 
bursts  from  that  glorious  band,  and  every  heart  feels  the 
silken  cord  tightening,  the  quivering  thread  that  binds  to 
cot  or  hall.  The  manly  heart  beats  quicker  at  the  thought 
of  again  lifting  the  latch,  and  greeting  the  loved  mother 
and  father,  brother  and  sister,  after  the  years  of  separation 
and  toil,  that  makes  months  seem  years —  and  years  to  the 
young  cadet,  a  life-time.  As  they  marched  into  "  Bar- 
racks," the  band  played  "  I  see  them  on  their  winding 
way  !  "  The  first  class  cheered,  and  threw  up  their  hats, 
and  at  breaking  of  ranks,  embraced  each  other  with  shouts 
of  joy. 

"  Cadet  Smith  came  back  to  lone  and  walked  up  to  the 
hotel  with  her.  He  asked  who  she  was  going  to  the  hop 
with,  that  evening. 

She  said  kt  with  my  aunt." 

He  asked  if  he  might  escort  her. 

She  accepted  gratefully,  right  glad  to  be  independent  of 
the  tardy,  indifferent  olticers. 

"  O,  .Miss  lone  !  your  aunt  just  informed  me,  that  you 
were  quite  neglected,  not  having  received  an  invitation 


ISO  Tactics;  or, 

from  any  of  the  officers  yet,  for  the  hop  to-night.  Will  you 
oblige  me  by  joining  my  party  ?  I  have  two  other  ladies 
under  my  wing.  This  was  said  by  the  Colonel,  all  gold 
lace  and  plumes,  just  as  the  cadet  left  lone.  She  was  in- 
dignant. 

"  Thank  you  Colonel,  I  have  an  escort !  "  She  bowed 
and  ran  up  the  steps.  Here  she  encountered  Lieutenant 
Alton  with  his  very  bland  smile. 

"  Miss  lone,  Lieutenant  Saberin  is  not  at  all  well  and 
may  not  attend  the  hop  this  evening,  sends  his  apology  by 
me,  may  I  hope  for  the  pleasure  of  taking  you  ?  " 

She  replied,  "  I  am  very  sorry  Lieutenant  Saberin  is  ill, 
and  much  obliged  for  your  politeness,  but  I  am  going  with 
Cadet  Smith." 

"  I  regret  extremely  I  have  been  too  late  in  my  invita- 
tion, and  hope  Lieutenant  Saberin  may  be  able  to  attend, 
as  he  is  almost  indispensable  to  all  of  us  at  our  parties/' 
and  he  smiled  slyly  at  her. 

As  she  ascended  the  stairs,  she  thought  she  would  stop 
in  Viola's  room.  She  found  her  under  the  artistic  hands  of 
a  new  hair-dresser  from  New  York,  her  head  was  a  chef 
d'ouvre. 

Viola  said,  "  The  Colonel  has  asked  me  to  tell  you,  if  he 
did  not  see  you,  that  he  would  be  glad  to  escort  you  to 
the  hop." 

"  Yes,  I  saw  him,  but  am  engaged." 

"  To  whom  ?  "  her  aunt  said  quickly. 

"  To  Cadet  Smith,  as  perfect  a  gentleman  as  I  have 
had  the  good  fortune  to  meet." 

"  Have  you  seen  Lieutenant  Saberin  ?  " 

"  No,  no,  no !  "  sang  lone,  and  left  the  room,  with  per- 
haps an  indifference  slightly  assumed  for  Viola's  benefit, 
and  she  was  deceived. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  181 


"TO  CLOSE  RANKS." 

Tattoo  is  beating,  and  the  gay  groups  are  gathering  to 
the  rooms  of  the  "  officers'  mess."  Brilliant  are  the  gas- 
lights, brilliant  are  the  jewels,  most  brilliant  are  the  bright 
eyes,  and  inspiring  the  sweet  smiles  and  sweet  sounds,  the 
music  echoes  through  the  long  rooms,  and  soon  the  dainty 
feet  are  tripping  lightly.  Leaning  against  the  window 
opposite  the  door,  stands  an  officer,  quietly  watching  the 
entrance,  as  if  in  expectation  of  an  arrival.  He  looks 
pale  and  stern.  Who  is  he  looking  for,  that  handsome 
worldling  ? 

o 

"  Should  he  not  wear  a  brow  of  care  ! 
That  with  three  hearts  to  trifle  dare  ?  ' ' 

Is  he  musing  of  one  he  cannot  think  of  leaving  on 
the  morrow,  even  for  a  few  weeks,  without  this  look  of 
sadness  ?  Or  dreams  he  of  a  dark-browed  beauty  with  eyes 
like  the  glittering  gem  on  his  finger,  that  sparkles  amid 
the  dark  masses  of  his  hair  as  he  passes  his  hand  through 
his  curls.  Could  she  "  cast  that  shadow  from  his  brow, 
and  bid  her  dark-eyed  lover  be  glad  awhile  ?  "  or  is  he 
haunted  by  an  apparition  of  other  days. 

"  Lightened  by  the  softened  splendor 

Of  a  lovely  harvest-moon, 
And  of  saint-like  eyes  so  tender, 

Glowing  in  the  midnight  noon, 
Many  a  song  of  wondrous    sweetness 

Which  thy  heart  can  ne'er  forget, 
Bearing  with  their  cloud-like  fleetnesa 

Thy  most  passionate  regret  1  " 

A  party  of  four  enter,  — •  an  officer,  as  fair  and  ruddy  as 
a  boy, 


182  Tactics;  or, 

"  He  is  true  and  he  is  bold, 
Full  of  mirth  as  he  can  hold  ! 
Through  the  world  he'll  make  his  way, 
With  jest,  and  laugh,  and  lightsome  lay  !  " 

On  his  arm  leans  a  superb  woman,  in  a  gold  brocade 
and  diamonds,  regal  in  bearing.  All  eyes  beam  admiration 
or  envy,  as  she  passes.  Lieutenant  Burly  ton  led  her  for- 
ward as  if  he  had  captured  Queen  Victoria  !  A  cadet  and 
young  girl  followed  them :  he  is  tall,  dark-haired  and  vig- 
orous ;  his  physique  powerful,  his  eye  keen  and  penetrating. 
He  leans  towards  the  lady  at  his  side  protectingly,  as  she 
looks  up  at  him.  She  evidently  deems  those  broad  shoul- 
ders no  mean  fortress.  She  is  very  beautiful,  a  flowing 
robe  of  black  lace,  her  hair  in  rich  masses  of  curls,  a  sin- 
gle diamond  blazing  on  her  fair  brow.  Yes,  indeed,  she 
was  very  beautiful !  Why  frowns  and  stares  the  officer 
in  the  window?  Is  he  jealous  of  the  fine  looking  cadet? 
Does  he  wonder  at  the  loveliness,  and  uncommon  dignity 
of  the  young  girl  ?  or  —  or  —  what.* 

The  doctor  and  the  Colonel  passed  without  seeing  him. 

"  Which  is  to  be  the  successful  one,  Colonel,  Saberin  or 
the  cadet  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,"  said  the  Colonel,  "  I  should  not  object 
myself  I  " 

"  No,  she  would  not  be  a  disagreeable  patient  !  "  the 
doctor  replied. 

lone  looked  well,  and  looking  well  she  received  attention, 
and  though  she  danced  all  the  time,  she  had  not  seen  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin  to  speak  to  him. 

After  her  entrance  he  joined  Madam  Maryglot,  and  she 
led  him  off  in  search  of  the  Randolph  party.  She  planned 
as  well  as  he  could  have  done  himself,  and  Miss  Celeste 
had  often  found  him  at  her  side.  He  was  sufficiently  in- 
different to  her  to  really  enjoy  the  society  of  the  sweet, 
artless  girl,  and  then  she  was  an  aristocrat  ".of  the  first 
water."  He  avoided  Madam  Bobaline,  only  watching  her 
from  a  distance,  and  as  the  evening  wore  on,  and  he  did 
not  come  to  her,  she  grew  gayer  and  more  brilliant,  iudulg- 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  183 

ing  her  sarcasm  and  wit  relentlessly,  proving  to  his  prac- 
tised eye  her  deep  feeling,  but  to  the  thoughtless  woman, 
a  proof  "  strong  as  Holy  Writ,"  that  she  was  quite  indiffer- 
ent whether  he  were  at  her  side,  or  that  of  the  "  belle  of 
the  ball."  lone  he  could  not  read,  she  could  not  read  her- 
self. He  had  yielded  to  an  undefined  reluctance  to  ask 
her  to  go  with  him  that  night.  Did  he  feel  that  a  net 
was  gradually  closing  around  him  ?  His  plan  of  resigning 
in  Mora's  favor  might  not  work  ;  some  one  might  turn  up 
to  call  him  to  an  account  in  some  of  his  tacks,  and  then 
was  he  not  a  little  cruel  to  delude  that  sweet  innocent  into 
the  belief  that  he  would  marry  her  ?  He  could  not  afford 
to  be  honorable  in  the  matter,  and  it  was  not  his  fault  if 
every  foolish  little  girl  ran  after  him.  In  fact  it  was  a 
quid  pro  quo,  she  was  under  obligation  to  him  for  a  great 
deal  of  polite  attention,  and  if  he  fluttered  around  her,  it 
attracted  others  to  her,  and  would  probably  be  the  means 
of  getting  her  a  fine  match,  and  so  the  sophist  pacified  his 
conscience.  He  really  respected  Lieutenant  Bobaline,  and 
perhaps  that  noble  fellow  might  object  to  his  niece  being 
one  of  three  dangling  on  the  same  hook !  After  all  it  was 
only  two.  He  could  by  no  possibility  encounter  his  rural 
divinity  again.  If  lone  was  only  rich,  she  would  be  a  terri- 
ble rival  to  Pauline.  Now  the  momentous  question  rested 
on  which  he  could  give  up  the  easiest,  for  his  own  person- 
al comfort.  While  these  thoughts  were  flitting  through 
his  mind,  he  was  carrying  on  a  lively  little  "  passage  of 
arms,"  with  Miss  Randolph,  in  the  refreshment  room. 

lone  was  standing  on  an  elevated  platform  that  ran 
round  the  billiard  room  where  the  refreshment  table  was 
laid.  Lieutenant  Mera  and  she  were  entirely  oblivious  to 
the  keen  glances  thrown  towards  them  as  they  conversed 
so  earnestly  about  the  affairs  of  the  nation.  His  dark 
eyes  said  more  than  words  could  convey,  and  she  felt  her- 
self culpable  to  enjoy  so  much,  every  moment  with  him. 
'She  saw  Lieutenant  Saberin  was  avoiding  her,  and  felt  the 
slight,  and  determined  not  to  permit  him  to  spoil  her 
pleasure  as  he  had  on  former  occasions,  she  would  bo 


184  Tactics;   or, 

grateful  for  attention  from  any  one.  Lieutenant  Mera 
did  not  seem  to  weary  of  her,  but  remained  at  her  side  to 
dance,  to  promenade,  to  entertain  her.  Few  men  have 
power  to  bind  as  with  a  spell ;  Lieutenant  Mera  was  one 
of  the  few.  They  dreamed  on  till  Mrs.  Bobaline  came 
leaning  on  the  arm  of  Lieutenant  Saberin,  resplendent  in 
her  triumph.  He  shaded  his  eyes  from  the  gas  with  his 
hand,  and  gazed  anxiously  at  lone.  She  was  looking  pen- 
sively happy,  too  dreamily  so  for  his  jealous  eye  not  to 
understand  the  whole  affair  at  a  glance.  He  spoke  as  ten- 
derly as  if  he  had  been  her  caro  sposo  for  twenty  years. 
"  Good  evening  Miss  lone,  I  hope  you  have  enjoyed  the 
evening  very  much,  I  have  had  ocular  demonstration  of 
the  fact."  He  advanced  to  her  side,  and  lowering  his  voice 
said,  "  I  have  not  lost  sight  of  you  this  evening ;  and 
oh,  I  have  been  so  jealous  !  : 

lone  grew  crimson,  and  asked,  "  How  is  your  health, 
Mr.  Saberin  ?  Lieutenant  Alton  told  me  you  were  ill." 

"  Not  just  that;  but  wishing  very  much  for  the  open- 
ing of  the  millenium  ;  but  all  this  mundane  gorgeousness  has 
quite  reconciled  me  to  this  life  as  it  is." 

"  Come,  lone,  we  must  go !  "  Mrs.  Bobaline  said  impa- 
tiently. 

lone  stepped  to  Lieutenant  Mera,  who  had  moved  out  of 
hearing  of  Lieutenant  Saberin's  whispered  communication 
—  "  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  take  me  to  Cadet  Smith  ?  " 

They  met  him  looking  for  lone.  Madam  Maryglot  had 
captured  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  "  to  convoy  her  harne," 
who  was  only  anxious  to  do  his  part  of  the  onerous  duties 
of  society,  and  get  to  his  loved  pillow.  Cadet  Smith 
assured  lone  he  enjoyed  the  walk  home  more  than  the  en- 
tertainment, and  begged  she  would  meet  him  at  guard- 
mounting  to-morrow. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  left  Mrs.  Bobaline  in  time  to  meet 
lone  and  her  friend  ;  he  did  not  speak,  he  only  lifted  his 
cap  as  he  passed  her,  but  by  the  moon-light  she  could  dis- 
cover a  stern  unloving  look,  and  her  heart  sank  \vithin 
her. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  185 

"  5  Alignments  and  Manual  of  Arms  in  Closed  Ranks." 

lone  hardly  recognized  her  cadet  friends  in  citizens' 
dress,  at  the  breakfast  table,  and  they  scarcely  seemed  to 
know  each  other,  they  were  so  evidently  on  their  good  be- 
havior. Some  in  the  very  last  agonies  of  dandydom,  others 
looking  like  young  quakers,  others  still,  like  very  well-to- 
do  farmer  boys.  Released  from  the  thraldom  of  a  hotel  ta- 
ble, however,  in  one  respect  Richard  was  himself  again,  for 
they  all  rushed  at  lone  like  brothers. 

"  How  grand  you  look  in  '  citizens, '  "  cried  she.  She 
meant  Cadet,  or  rather  now,  Lieutenant  Smith. 

They  all  thanked  her,  and  Lieutenant  Smith  said 
"  When  shall  we  meet  again  ?  " 

"  Please  don't  make  me  any  sadder,  shall  we  not  see 
you  back  here  ?  " 

"  I  will  come  back  if  possible,  but  the  lot  always  falls 
upon  those  who  would  rather  go  to  jail  than  to  return, 
while  those  who  wish  to  come  are  not  permitted." 

The  hateful  omnibus  came  rumbling  to  the  door,  and 
amid  tears  and  sad  faces  of  girls  left  behind  them,  it 
swallowed  them  all  like  so  many  Jonahs,  and  scrambled 
off. 

lone  left  Mrs.  Bobaline  conversing  with  some  ladies,  and 
laughed  with  the  real  tears  in  her  own  eyes,  at  the  dole- 
ful look  on  every  face,  and  wondered  if  she  was  such  a 
good  illustration  of  "the  girl  I  left  behind  me."  She 
went  back  to  the  breakfast  table  and  began  devouring 
rolls  and  chops,  to  the  great  amusement  of  the  voung 
waiters,  who  had  already  given  the  unsentimental  lady  one 
breakfast.  She  might  have  injured  the  host  in  a  serious 
manner  had  not  Mrs.  Bobaline  and  Lieutenant  Saberin 
entered.  As  they  passed  her  he  laid  a  sprig  of  ever- 
green at  the  side  of  her  plate  ;  she  took  it  quietly  and 
arranged  it  in  her  hair. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  began  in  a  loud  voice  to  tell  madam 
that  he  was  to  leave  at  twelve  o'clock. 

"  0  don't  go  to-day,  the  cadets  are  going  into  camp." 


186  Tactics;  or, 

"  That  will  be  something  new  and  interesting ;  are 
there  no  weightier  inducements  to  offer  ?  "  He  leaned  on 
the  table  to  look  at  lone.  "  Miss  lone,  will  you  not  go 
with  me  ?  I  am  off  for  Niagara,  and  Montreal,  and  will 
meet  some  friends  at  Newport,  on  my  return.  Those  are 
all  new  places  to  you,  are  they  not  ?  " 

u  They  are  indeed,  and  it  would  be  delightful." 

"  I  will  take  good  care  of  you,  and  bring  you  back  in 
time  for  Miss  Lou.'s  wedding." 

"  If  it  has  come  to  that,"  said  madam,  "  I  shall  have  to 
be  consulted,  as  lone  lias  no  nearer  friend  here." 

"  I  am  nearer,  am  I  not,  Miss  lone  ?  " 

"  Yes,  one  seat,"  and  she  colored  deeply. 

Madam  saw  the  blush,  and  heard  the  unusual  softness 
of  her  hero's  voice,  and  sickened  with  apprehended  evil. 
She  rose  from  the  table,  where  lone  sat  destroying  the  bit 
of  roll  she  could  not  consume. 

He  leaned  over  her  chair  and  whispered,  "  Meet  me  at 
the  foot  of  the  steps  behind  the  hotel  at  eleven  o'clock." 

She  shook  her  head  in  a  very  determined  way. 

"  Do,  Miss  lone,  I  must  see  vou  one  moment." 

She  said  "  No." 

He  whirled  on  his  heel  and  followed  madam.  lone 
trembled  violently,  and  mechanically  followed  them.  He 
said,  "  Good  morning  ladies,  I  must  go  and  pack.  I  will 
return  to  say  good  bye,  at  eleven,"  and  he  glanced  at  lone. 
She  went  and  got  her  hat,  and  walked  rapidly  down  the 
path  to  the  Laboratory,  on  her  way  to  "  Band-practice," 
repeating. 

41  0,  give  me  music  !  my  soul  is  sick, 

I  pant  for  music  ! 
My  heart  in  its  thirst  is  a  dying  flower  ! 

As  the  bruised  and  wiltering  violet, 
Its  fragrance  breathes  for  the  cheering  shower, 
Such  shall  my  heart's  deep  incense  be  — 
Though  thirsting  yet." 

She  met  Lieutenant  Mera.  "  Where  are  you  going,  Miss 
lone  ?  I  was  just  going  up  to  say  farewell,  but  may  I  ac- 
company you  ?  " 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  187 

She  accepted  his  attendance,  they  climbed  half  way  up 
the  hill,  and  sat  on  a  large  stone,  to  listen  to  the  music. 

He  told  her  that  he  was  about  to  apply  to  be  relieved 
from  West  Point.  Where  would  she  be  ?  when  was  she 
to  return  home  ? 

lone  did  not  know  —  would  like  to  go  home  this  morn- 
ing. 

"  O  no,  you  must  not  go  now  !  you  are  to  stand  at  Miss 
Storme's  wedding.  We  will  have  a  glorious  time  there  !  " 
said  he  to  cheer  her,  for  she  looked  sick.  It  did  cheer  her, 
it  was  a  door  open  from  despair. 

"  So  we  will,  and  I  will  try  and  live  for  that,"  she  said, 
with  an  effort  at  deceiving  him,  lest  he  should  think  she 
was  miserable  on  account  of  the  departure  of  the  gradu- 
ates. 

He  noticed  the  evergreen  in  her  hair,  and  asked  her  for 
it.  "  Ah,  give  it  me,  and  at  the  wedding  you  shall  see  it." 

She  thought  of  Lieutenant  Saberin,  and  thought  too, 
"  He  does  worse  things  every  day.  Does  he  not  devote 
himself  to  Miss  Randolph  and  unnumbered  others,  every 
day  in  the  cruelest  way,"  and  she  snatched  it  from  hei 
hair.  Conscience  whispered  he  is  a  man,  and  you  are  a  wo- 
man, and  must  be  perfect,  smile  when  he  condescends  to 
show  you  attention,  not  feel  resentment  when  he  neglects 
or  treats  you  with  scorn  ;  —  that  is  being  an  angel. 

He  watched  her  closely,  as  she  looked  at  .it  in  her  fin- 
gers, while  these  thoughts  were  running  through  her  dis- 
tracted little  head.  He  took  it  from  her  passive  hands,  and 
put  it  in  the  button-hole  of  his  vest.  "  There  you  have 
worn  that  in  your  hair,  and  it  is  a  precious  relic." 

.She  smiled  sadly,  and  they  walked  to  the  hotel  in  silence. 
Mrs.  Maryglot  was  in  the  parlor. 

"  Madam,  I  am  come  to  say  good-bye !  "  said  he  in  a 
very  measured  way.  "  I  regret  to  leave  ;  you  have  been 
very  kind,  and  I  have  not  always  deserved  it." 

She  extended  her  hand  to  him,  for  she  really  liked  him 
more  than  any  of  the  officers,  in  as  much  as  he  had  inter- 
ested her  in  his  future.  "  God  bless  you." 


188  Tactics;  or, 

"  Wish  me  partaker  in  thy  happiness, 
When  thou  dost  meet  good-hap  ;  and  in  thy  danger, 
If  ever  danger  do  environ  thee, 
Commend  thy  grievance  to  my  holy  prayers, 
For  I  will  be  thy  beadsman  !  " 

"  I  thank  you  !  *'  he  replied.  "  I  shall  not  forget  your 
blessing,  nor  your  promise.  "  He  took  lone's  hand,  "  May 
I  count  upon  your  prayers  ?  " 

A  great  tear  upon  his  hand  was  her  only  answer.  She 
stood  in  the  window  and  watched  him  as  he  walked  rapid- 
ly across  the  plain.  Mrs.  Maryglot  left  the  room,  and 
still  she  stood  buried  in  thought.  She  felt  the  presence  of 
some  one,  and  turning  her  head  saw  Lieutenant  Saberin 
standing  by  the  table. 

"  Ah,  Miss  lone,  I  hope  I  have  not  disturbed  any  pleas- 
ing dream.  I  have  been  waiting  an  age,  for  you  to  speak 
to  me* 

It  flashed  on  her  mind  that  he  had  seen  her  looking  after 
Lieutenant  Mera.  "  You  should  have  spoken  to  me,  I 
was  in  a  reverie,"  she  said  modestly. 

Of  what  were  you  thinking,  lone  ;  was  the  little  Lieu- 
tenant carrying  your  thoughts  captive  to-day  as  well  as 
last  night  ? 

"  Yes,  I  was  thinking  of  Lieutenant  Mera,  he  has  just 
bid  me  farewell,"  she  replied,  with  a  little  defiance  in  the 
tone. 

"  After  I  am  gone  will  you  be  as  unconscious  of  the 
presence  of  others,  as  you  were  just  now,  of  mine  ?  " 

"  I  presume  so,  it  makes  a  fool  of  me  to  part  with  any- 
one, yet  I  think  you  could  easily  have  arrested  my  atten- 
tion, if  you  had  made  any  noise." 

"  I  fear  I  am  growing  jealous,  Miss  lone,  for  the  first  time 
in  my  life ;  you  must  forgive  me." 

"  O,  you  make  a  lovely  penitent !  but  as  you  have  not 
the  same  right  to  be  jealous  of  me,  that  I  have  of  you,  I 
will  not  forgive  you  !  He  is  as  perfectly  indifferent  to  me, 
as  I  am  to  —  " 

"  Stop,  stop,  Miss  lone  !  don't  tell  a  story,  besides  he  is 
my  most  intimate  friend.'' 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  189 

"  Yes,  I  have  «.  faint  recollection  of  getting  that  impres- 
sion, before  I  knew  either  of  yoii  very  well,"  she  answer- 
ed with  a  little  scorn  on  her  pretty  lips. 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  yes,  I  have  a  sickening  recollection  of  a 
chastisement  I  received  on  an  occasion  I  shall  never  for- 
get. Never  mind,  lady  fair,  you  have  had  your  revenge  ! 
you  have  the  triumph  all  to  yourself." 

"  Let  by-gones  be  by-gones,"  she  answered  playfully. 

Madam  Maryglot  entered  accompanied  by  Miss  Ran- 
dolph, to  all  appearance  as  unconscious  as  a  child  that  she 
was  interrupting  a  tete-a-tete. 

He  frowned  very  becomingly,  as  if  in  deep  sorrow.  "  I 
fear  I  shall  not  see  all  my  friends  to  say  good  bye." 

lone  rang  the  bell,  and  sent  for  Mrs.  Bobaline,  who  re- 
quested him  to  come  to  her  parlor ;  he  asked  lone  to  go 
with  him.  She  went  to  the  door  but  refused  to  go  in. 
He  took  her  hand  and  put  his  class-ring  on  it,  and  kissed 
it  saying,  "  This,  lone,  is  dearer  than  anything  I  possess, 
it  is  sacred  !  " 

"  Then  please  do  not  give  it  me,  I  fear  I  may  lose  it. 
It  is  too  heavy  for  my  finger." 

Mrs.  Bobaline  hearing  voices  outside  her  door,  opened 
it ;  lone  blushed  and  went  to  her  room,  and  the  Lieutenant 
entered  Mrs.  Bobaline's. 

"  LESSON     SECOND." 

"  To  Load  in  Four  Times  and  at  Will." 

lone  had  engaged  to  go  down  to  parade  with  Mrs.  Mary- 
glot and  Celeste  Randolph.  She  stood  hesitating  like  one 
in  a  dream,  carefully  drawing  on  her  gloves,  that  Mrs. 
Viola  should  not  see  the  ring.  "  If  she  sees  it,  she  will 
never  speak  to  me  again,"  she  murmured,  and  sighed  as  if 
she  were  a  second  Atlas  and  had  the  world  on  her  shoul- 
ders. 

Madam  Maryglot  called  her,  and  they  took  their  way 
down  the  cavalry  road  to  the  old  Academic  building,  and 


190  Tactics;  or, 

stood  under  the  trees.  The  miniature  army  were  standing 
in  battle  array,  a  fine  spectacle.  The  officers,  superbly 
mounted,  fine-looking  men,  rode  to  and  fro,  directing  their 
movements.  There  were  baggage-wagons,  with  all  the 
appointments  belonging  to  camp-life,  drawn  by  oxen.  The 
newly  appointed  cadets,  designated  from  the  older,  or  more 
advanced  ones,  by  the  name  of  "  Plebes,"  were  running 
in  every  direction  across  the  plain,  carrying  brooms,  pails, 
looking-glasses  etc.,  and  wheeling  wheel -barrows,  with  all 
sorts  of  somethings  in  them.  At  length  the  cavalcade 
moved  forward  —  a  very  imposing  sight,  the  band  in  full 
force,  the  glittering  swords  and  bayonets,  the  array  of 
young  princes  in  their  handsome,  showy  uniforms,  and 
their  "  soldierly  bearing ;  "  the  dragoons  on  their  fiery 
steeds,  "  champing  their  reins,"  and  prancing  about  to  the 
great  terror  of  the  hundreds  of  ladies  lining  the  roads, 
paths,  side-walks  and  steps  to  the  different  edifices,  with 
every  hue  and  shade  of  costly  array.  The  locale  is  alto- 
gether unsurpassed, 

"As  those  who  have  been  there,  know, 
And  those  who  have  not,  had  better  go," 

and  see  it  for  themselves,  as  it  will  repay  them  for  a  short 
journey.  The  plain,  surrounded  by  an  amphitheatre  of 
nature's  "  mountain  fastnesses  and  retreats,"  the  lovely 
homes  and  massive  structures  at  their  base,  the  grand  old 
trees,  and  tempting  paths  beneath  ;  the  glorious  Hudson, 
rejoicing  in  its  beauty  and  strength,  flowing  proudly  to  the 
sea,  toying  with  its  chatelaine  of  tiny  ships,  and  emerald 
islets.  The  beautiful  town  of  Newburg  in  the  distance, 
with  its  soft  vail  of  haze  floating  between  the  sunset  sky 
and  the  glowing  mirror  beneath,  like  a  city  in  a  dream  ;  the 
charming  residences  dotting  the  mountains  sides,  and  fill- 
ing the  breasts  of  the  denizens  of  cities  with  envy  —  ah,  'tis 
an  Eden  !  But  a  grand  march  from  the  Baud  of  bands 
brings  us  into  line,  and  the  hundreds  follow  to  the  camp- 
ground. The  floors  of  the  tents  are  laid  the  canvas  lies 


Cupid  hi  Shoulder-Straps,  191 

beside  them,  preparatory  to  an  attack  from  the  "  Plebes  " 
initiated  for  the  first  time  into  the  occupation  of  tent- 
makers,  and  now  it  becomes  "  confusion  doubly  confound- 
ed," but  soon  one  white  tent  after  another  rises,  till  all  stand 
in  beauty  and  order.  The  spectators  wonder  where  that 
small  army  has  disappeared  to,  "  surely  not  into  those  tiny 
tents  !  "  A  very  unmusical,  but  welcome  sound  booms  over 
the  plain,  and  the  hungry  multitude  take  their  way  to  the 
hotel.  Omnibus  after  omnibus,  with  their  sad,  or  eager 
crowds,  are  running  away  like  unrelenting  time,  after  the 
boats  and  cars,  while  those  that  remain,  look  into  each  oth- 
er's faces,  as  if  each  expected  he  would  soon  be  left  alone 
to  tell  the  tale. 

"  2.     To  fire  by  company" 

This  lull  was  just  what  lone  needed  to  collect  her  flushed 
senses  ;  she  walked,  and  talked  to  Cadet  Allen,  listened  to 
the  music,  attended  guard-mounting  and  parade,  and  mu- 
sic in  the  evenings,  until  the  fourth  of  July  ;  then  the  re- 
lentless omnibus  seemed  determined  to  make  amends  for 
their  former  cruelty,  and  came  from  every  boat  and  train, 
with  what  a  New  Yorker  would  consider  a  pretty  fair 
number  inside  and  out. 

Lieutenant  Smith  returned  and  begged  lone  to  permit 
him  to  see  that  she  lost  none  of  the  pleasures  of  the  sea- 
son, and  to  begin  by  allowing  him  to  accompany  her  to 
the  hop,  on  the  evening  of  the  fourth.  This  was  a  very 
brilliant  affair,  and  the  beaux  and  belles  of  a  few  weeks 
ago  were  no  more  missed  than  if  they  had  never  been,  ex- 
cept in  a  few  hearts.  At  drum  beat,  such  a  rush  for  the 
dressing  room,  one  who  has  never  witnessed  the  perform- 
ance could  scarcely  imagine,  and  all  found  themselves  on 
the  plain  in  an  incredibly  short  space  of  time,  where 
wheels  and  Roman  candles,  and  the  rocket's  red  glare,  were 
already  making  the  heavens  bright  with  the  meteoric  show- 
er, while  patriotic  sentences  and  devices,  written  in  letters 
of  flame,  added  to  the  grandeur  and  brilliancy  of  the 


192  Tactics;  or, 

scene.  Through  all,  and  above  all,  rose  the  music  of  the 
band  playing  national  airs,  that  fired  the  breast  with 
patriotism. 

lone  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  a  clergyman,  to 
whom  Miss  Randolph  had  introduced  her. 

He  offered  her  his  arm  to  go  out  on  thf  plain.  As  he 
was  a  gray-haired  man,  she  dared  not  refuse;  and  Lieu- 
tenant Smith  followed,  making  warlike  demonstrations  at 
the  head  of  the  old  gentleman,  whenever  he  could  catch 
lone's  eye.  Every  rocket  that  went  up  he  followed  with 
his  spectacles,  but  when  he  expected  the  returns,  he  seized 
lone  by  the  hand  and  ran  for  dear  life,  dragging  her  inva- 
riably directly  toward  the  falling  baton,  intending  however 
to  keep  from  under  it,  and  supposing  he  was  going  in  just 
the  opposite  direction. 

Lieutenant  Smith  kept  near  her,  endeavoring  to  gain  pos- 
session, but  this  only  aroused  her  new  friend's  ire. 

"  You  will  have  to  come  to  me  one  of  these  days,  to 
take  care  of  her  for  you  when  you  go  to  fight  the  In- 
dians, and  I  am  not  going  to  give  her  up  to  you." 

"  I  shall  have  to  shoot  you  !  "  replied  the  fierce  young 
soldier,  in  a  laughing  way. 

"  Shoot !  I  am  bullet  proof,  and  could  not  die  in  a  bet- 
ter cause." 

"  Bullet  proof,  ha  !  ha  !  "  shouted  the  youth,  trespass- 
ing a  little  on  the  good  man's  indulgence. 

His  Reverence  eyed  him  from  head  to  foot,  and  in  a  fine 
histrionic  style  addressed  him. 

"  Hence 

Horrible  villian  !  or  I'll  spurn  thine  eyes 
Like  balls  before  me  ;  I'll  unchain  thy  head  ; 
Thou  shalt  be  whipped  with  wire,  and  stewed  in  brine. 
,  Smarting  in  lingering  pickle." 

Smith  clapped  his  hands  in  delight,  and  lone  joined  him. 
At  length  the  inevitable  drum  beat,  and  all  wound  their 
•way  to  the  hotel.  lone  was  getting  to  be  herself  again. 
Viola  had  no  one  to  persecute  her  about,  and  was 
quite  agreeable,  with  the  exception  of  being  "  out  of  all 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  193 

patience  with  lone  for  letting  Lieutenant  Mera  slip  through 
her  fingers  that  way."  "  Miss  Storme  had  done  well  for 
herself,  took  the  first  offer  she  had." 

Poor  lone  looked  at  the  noble  class-ring,  but  that  was  a 
heavy  link  between  two  hearts  that  did  not  beat  in  unison. 

«•  3.     To  Fire  by  File." 

lone,  here  is  a  letter  for  you  from  Miss  Storme  !  "  said 
Mrs.  Bobaline  entering  lone's  room.  She  took  the  letter 
and  Viola  sat  down  to  hear  her  read  it. 

"  STORME  TOWER, 

Dearest  lone : 

I  write  to  tell  you  to  be  ready  to 

come  to  me  in  two  or  three  days  at  farthest.  My  brother 
Harry  will  come  down  for  you.  He  says  "  Tell  Miss  lone 
that  I  will  stop  one  night  and  take  her  to  the  hop,  if  she 
will  look  at  an  officer  in  citizen's  dress,  on  West  Point." 
Maria  is  here  and  sends  love. 

Your  friend, 

Lou.  STORME. 

"  How  charming  that  will  be  !  "  lone  exclaimed.  u  Vi- 
ola I  do  wish  you  could  go,  and  not  be  left  here  alone  !  " 

"  O,  I  shall  be  at  the  wedding,  and  that  is  all  I  care  for." 

lone  was  like  a  bird  in  her  joyful  mood,  while  prepar- 
ing for  her  trip.  It  was  a  perfect  dream  of  delight  to  her. 
Shortly  after,  as  she  was  sitting  on  the  piazza  with  Madam 
Maryglot,  the  omnibus  drove  to  the  door,  and  Lieutenant 
Storme  sprang  out?  Seeing  lone  he  ran  up  the  steps  and 
greeted  her  warmly.  "  Well,  Miss  lone,  all  ready  ?  " 

"  Yes,  for  the  hop  to  night  ?  " 

He  sat  down  in  his  own  natural  way,  told  her  all  the  lit- 
tle interesting  et  cetera  going  on  at  home.  He  had  just 
returned  from  visiting  Miss  Nora  Kearney,  with  whom  he 
was  more  deeply  in  love  than  ever.  All  who  heard  him, 
9 


194  Tactics;  or, 

admired,  and  wished  him  success  in  his  manly,  honorable 
love. 

lone  was  a  belle  that  evening,  and  with  her  lively  com- 
panion attracted  a  great  deal  of  attention,  and  was  envied 
by  not  a  few. 

"  4.      To  Fire  by  Rank." 

The  fine  steamer  bound  up  the  Hudson,  landed  at  West 
Point  the  next  day,  the  passengers  gathering  in  a  black 
mass,  to  look  at  the  fine  buildings,  and  stare  at  those  com- 
ing on  board.  "  That  handsome  officer,  papa  !  Is  he  a 
general  ?  "  "  Yes,  I  think  he  is  !  "  "  O,  no  !  he  is  one 
of  the  cadets.  They  say  they  are  terrible  fellows  among 
the  girls  !  "  This  was  a  conversation  overheard  by  lone 
and  Lieutenant  Storme  ;  the  general  was  a  dragoon  senti- 
nel, at  the  ferry  house.  As  they  neared  the  pier,  a  few 
miles  up  the  river,  among  the  crowd  lone  discovered  Lou. 
and  her  young  brother,  awaiting  their  arrival.  When 
they  went  on  shore  she  found  two  arms  were  around  her 
neck,  and  Lou.'s  musical  voice  reiterating,  "  I'm  so  glad 
to  see  you  !  This  is  my  brother  Johnny,  lone." 

The  brother  Johnny  was  dark-eyed,  broad-shouldered, 
and  finely  moulded,  with  a  face  browned  by  exposure. 
His  manners  were  elegant,  with  an  air  of  well-bred  mod- 
esty, charming  in  a  young  man  of  twenty-two.  He  shook 
hands  with  lone,  and  his  hands  were  hard  and  brown  as 
any  farmer's,  he  boasting  himself  captain  of  a  yacht, 
lone  was  hurried  from  the  crowd  into  an  elegant  carriage, 
drawn  by  two  superb  chestnut  horses.  Young  John 
mounted  the  box,  handling  the  rains  like^Plato's  "  Grecian 
youth."  A  delightful  drive  along  the  river-bank  for  sev- 
eral miles,  with  desirable  homes  on  every  side,  brought 
them  to  a  gate,  with  a  bird-cage  of  a  lodge  beside  it. 
Johnny  shouted  "  Gate !  "  and  a  curly-headed  urchin 
ran  out  all  smiles,  to  open  it  for  them.  A  serpentine 
carriage  road  on  the  margin  of  the  river,  gave  her  a  fine 
view  of  the  expanse  of  lawn,  and  of  the  home-like  man- 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  195 

sions,  with  its  verandas  and  pillars  draped  with  roses  and 
honey-suckles,  the  arm-chairs  so  temptingly  arranged,  the 
fine  glass  adjusted  to  look  at  the  vessels  on  the  river,  the 
pretty  fountain,  with  its  murmuring  music,  made  a  fairy 
land  to  lone.  Maria  Hamilton  was  reading  on  the  piazza, 
and  ran  down  to  meet  them.  Mrs.  Storme  came  too,  and 
greeted  the  new  arrival  like  a  mother. 

She  was  not  disappointed  in  anticipating  a  pleasant  visit. 
The  days  flew  like  moments.  Johnny  took  her  to  sail 
every  day,  or  to  gallop  over  the  fine  roads,  or  out  in  his 
little  trotting-wagon,  and  even  the  day  the  wedding  party 
arrived,  found  lone  and  John  up  the  river  the  entire 
morning.  As  she  came  up  from  the  beach  on  her  return, 
all  drenched  with  waves  they  had  shipped,  Maria  met  her 
on  the  steps,  and  said,  "  lone,  you  naughty  girl  !  go  right 
to  your  room  and  dress.  Lieutenant  Saberin  and  Lieu- 
tenant Mera,  and  the  Doctor  have  come,  and  Nora  Kear- 
ney is  up  stairs  waiting  to  see  you  ;  hurry,  or  you  will  not 
be  ready  for  dinner." 

lone  rushed  up  stairs,  arrayed  herself  in  her  favorite 
blue  silk,  in  "  double-quick  time,"  and  entered  the  parlor 
after  every  one  had  assembled.  Lieutenant  Storme  offer- 
ed his  arm  and  introduced  her  to  the  guests  as  the  second 
mate  of  the  fast-sailing  yacht,  "  Speed."  John  did  not 
happen  to  be  present  or  perhaps  the  joke  would  not  have 
been  so  vociferously  received.  There  were  many  warm 
greetings,  and  each  made  his  way  to  take  the  distinguished 
"  tar  "  by  the  hand. 

Ere  long,  Lieuteuant  Saberin  was  ensconced  in  a  cosy 
window,  behind  the  curtains,  whispering  sweet  things  to 
lone.  The  Doctor  and  Lou.  had  betaken  themselves  to 
one  piazza,  Miss  Hamilton  and  Lieutenant  Mera  to  the 
other,  and  Harry  Storme  and  Miss  Nora  were  walking 
around  the  empty  conservatory,  as  if  it  had  been  the  lost 
site  of  Eden  they  had  just  discovered.  Robert  was  sent 
in  search  of  the  young  people,  and  being  an  expert  in 
this  sort  of  thing,  he  soon  brought  them  in.  They  bore 
Doctor  Storme's  merciless  jokes  in  a  very  shamefaced. 


196  Tactics;  or, 

way.  At  dinner  there  was  a  good  deal  of  "  by-play," 
among  the  young  people,  and  the  health  of  the  Doctor 
and  Lou.  was  drank  by  each  one  calling  out  to  pledge 
them  in  his  turn,  as  if  he  had  been  the  first  to  propose  it. 
After  dinner  they  adjourned  to  the  grounds. 

John  offered  Lieutenant  Saberin  the  use  of  his  fast  horse 
and  bu£gy  for  a  drive,  which  he  accepted,  and  invited  lone 
to  accompany  him ;  they  whirled  down  the  road,  amid 
cries  of  caution  not  to  run  away,  and  not  to  disable  them- 
selves for  their  onerous  duties  for  the  morrow.  Lieuten- 
ant Saberin  was  perfectly  lovely,  admired  the  scenery, 
asked  what  she  had  been  doing  at  West  Point,  and  said 
"  What  would  I  not  give  if  we  were  in  the  Dr's.  and  Miss 
Lou's  place  to-morrow  ;  but  oh,  that  dream  of  happiness 
may  not  be  fulfilled  in  long  years." 

lone  did  not  look  as  desparing  as  he  anticipated.  If  he 
had  been  sure  that  lone  had  such  a  home  as  Miss  Storme, 
would  he  have  postponed  his  dream  of  happiness  so  long  ? 
On  their  return  they  found  Lieutenant  Mera  entertaining 
Mrs.  and  Dr.  Storme,  Maria  and  John.  Lieutenant 
Saberin  went  wild  over  their  country,  its  roads,  its  fences, 
—  in  short,  everything.  Robert  came  to  say  tea  would 
be  served,  and  the  lovers  came  from  caves  and  grottoes, 
and  condescended  to  sip  a  little  nectar,  and  take  a  dainty 
bit  of  cake. 

Lieutenant  Mera  and  Mr.  John  suddenly  disappeared, 
and  the  moon  having  risen,  ndt  to  mention  a  fine  breeze,  the 
"perfect  brick,"  as  Lieutenant  Mera  called  him,  proposed 
a  sail.  "  Who  shall  I  take  ?  "  asked  Lieutenant  Mera. 

"  If  I  were  to  choose,  I  should  say  Miss  lone.  She  is 
not  afraid  of  anything." 

"  But  she  belongs  to  Lieutenant  Saberin." 

"  I  guess  not,  soul  and  body  !  "  said  John,  confidently. 
"  I'll  manage  that." 

And  he  did  manage.  He  walked  into  the  parlor,  and 
stood  in  front  of  the  window,  until  he  attracted  lone's-  at- 
tention, and  then  left  the  room.  She  knew  well  enough 
who  he  wanted,  and  in  a  few  moments  went  after  him. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  197 

"  Would  you  like  to  take  a  sail  by  moonlight  ?  "  said  he, 
as  she  went  up  to  him. 

"  O,  yes  indeed  !     But  what  will  they  all  say  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,"  replied  he  laughing,  "  But  Lieutenant 
Mera  wishes  to  go,  and  I  proposed  you  ;  he  understands 
boating,  so  I  will  stay,  and  no  one  will  miss  you  but  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin  !  "  added  he  slily. 

lone  said,  "  Hush,"  and  turning,  saw  Lieutenant  Mera 
buried  in  an  immense  arm-chair. 

He  rose  and  said,  "  Will  you  go  ?  " 

lone  nodded  smilingly  in  reply,  and  ran  down  the  steps. 

Mr.  John  suggested  the  propriety  of  not  shipping 
many  waves  in  that  blue  silk. 

They  sailed  down  the  river,  tacking  from  side  to  side, 
now  in  the  deep  shade  of  high  rocks,  then  running  in  a 
sunny  little  cove,  next  out  in  the  bright  moon-light,  as  if 
they  were  sailing  in  liquid  silver. 

"  Night  on  the  waves,  and  the  moon  is  on  high 

Hung  like  a  gem  on  the  brow  of  the  sky  — 
Treading  its  depths,  in  the  power  of  her  might, 

And  turning  the  clouds,  as  they  pass  her,  to  light." 

Lieutenant  Mera  told  her  one  or  two  incidents  connect- 
ed with  his  own  history,  commencing  with  commenting  on 
the  family  they  were  visiting,  and  the  happiness  Dr.  Storme 
must  feel  in  his  old  age,  to  have  a  home  of  elegance  for  his 
children,  with  no  anxiety  to  shorten  his  days.  "  I  shall 
never  know  that  pleasure  —  my  father  an  officer,  was 
killed  in  Florida  when  I  was  an  infant,  leaving  my  mother, 
a  beautiful,  gay  young  woman,  an  independence.  She  went 
to  Paris  and  mingled  in  the  beau-monde,  but  her  slight  for- 
tune soon  melted  away,  and  she  married  a  French  gentle- 
man and  returned  to  New  Orleans,  where  he  owned  an  im- 
mense estate.  I  was  sent  to  my  father's  brother,  when  I 
was  four  years  of  age,  and  have  never  seen  my  mother 
since.  She  had  a  brother  in  the  East  Indies,  that  was  very 
fond  of  me  as  a  baby,  who  she  thought  would  leave  mo 
his  fortune ;  but  a  number  of  years  ago  I  heard  of  his 


198  Tactics;  or, 

death,  and  that  he  had  left  it  to  some  one  there.  However, 
I  shall  never  dispute  it,  but  carve  my  way  to  fortune  with 
my  sword,  and  be  wedded  to  my  profession.  I  enjoy  ladies' 
society  as  a  gleam  of  sunshine,  which  may  not  linger  with 
me.  Being  more  than  usually  interested  considering  our 
short  acquaintance,  and  as  I  would  wish  an  honorable 
man  to  do  by  my  sister,  I  speak  to  you  now.  I  have  told 
you  this  about  myself  to  show  you  that  I  am  not  selfish  in 
what  I  am  going  to  say ;  though  I  am  speaking  of  a  friend, 
I  hope  I  am  speaking  to  one.  You  are,  or  may  be,  inter- 
ested in  Lieutenant  Saberin,  if  you  have  any  dear  friend  in 
whom  you  can  place  implicit  trust,  on  whose  judgment 
you  can  rely,  tell  him  or  her  everything,  lay  open  your 
heart  to  him,  and  all  that  Lieutenant  Saberin  says  and 
does,  and  be  guided  by  that  friend,  if  you  know  such  an 
one  ;  there  can  be  no  harm  in  that.  I  should  not  suggest 
Mrs.  Bobaline,  as  she  is  young  and  inexperienced,  I  —  wish 
your  uncle  were  with  you,  he  is  a  noble  man." 

lone  did  not  speak  till  he  had  finished,  she  then  said, 
"I  thank  you  a  thousand  times,  Lieutenant  Mera,  and  shall 
take  your  advice.  Do  you  approve  of  Madam  Maryglot  ?  " 

He  answered  "  Yes,  in  her  truth,  but  her  judgment  I 
know  nothing  of.  She  has  never  known  a  mother's  anxiety, 
and  may  not  decide  so  nicely,  but  you  will  know  Miss 
lone." 

She  saw  they  were  running  past  the  bay  that  they 
should  enter,  and  spoke  quickly,  "  In  here  !  " 

He  turned  the  boat  in  short,  the  lower  side  struck  a 
rock,  the  wind  blowing  strongly  at  the  time,  she  immediate- 
ly capsized.  lone  rose  and  clung  to  the  boat,  but  soon  lost 
her  hold,  and  fell  into  the  water.  Lieutenant  Mera  plunged 
after  her,  as  she  disappeared  in  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock, 
but  he  missed  her  ;  she  rose  again,  he  clasped  his  fingers  in 
her  hair,  and  drawing  her  up,  put  one  strong  arm  around 
her,  and  swam  to  the  beach ;  when  reached  he  found  her 
almost  lifeless.  Seizing  her  in  his  arms  he  set  off  for  the 
house. 

John  was  watching  for  them,  and  as  they  came  in  sight 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  199 

he  ran  forward  with  an  undefinable  dread.  Seeing  the 
almost  lifeless  form  of  lone  he  snatched  her  in  his  arms, 
and  carrying  her  to  his  sister's.,  room,  called  his  mother. 

In  a  few  moments  the  whole  household  knew  what  had 
happened. 

Lieutenant  Mera  went  to  his  room  to  change  his  clothes, 
but  soon  returned  to  answer  the  thousand  and  one  ques- 
tions always  asked  on  such  occasions. 

When  Lieutenant  Saberin  bid  him  good-night,  he  said, 
"  I  hope  you  will  not  suffer  from  it,  Mera,  but  you  came 
near  losing  my  wife  !  " 

Lieutenant  Mera  looked  ghastly,  and  replied,  "  You 
could  not  have  lost  more.  Thank  God,  she  is  safe!" 
There  was  very  little  sleep  in  the  house  that  night.  Poor 
Mr.  Mera  walked  the  floor  all  night,  scarcely  knowing 
which  he  felt  worst  about,  lone's  engagement,  or  the  duck- 
ing he  had  given  her. 


200  Tactics;  or, 


"LESSON  THIRD." 
"  1st.   To  March  in  line  of  Battle" 

The  day  was  perfect  as  all  wedding-days  should  be. 
lone  arose  looking  very  pale  and  interesting,  but  not  in- 
jured in  the  least  by  the  dive  she  made  to  the  caves  of  the 
Naiads.  Lieutenant  Mera  looked  worse  than  she  did,  as 
promenading  all  night  with  a  mind  ill  at  ease,  is  not  likely 
to  tinge  the  cheek  with  vermilion.  Many  times  during 
the  morning,  when  he  looked  at  lone,  he  almost  wished 
they  had  never  risen  from  the  waves,  but  had  slept  peace- 
fully there  until  the  last  day ;  while  she  avoided  or  looked 
shyly  at  him. 

The  wedding  party  had  assembled  in  the  upper  halls 
and  piazzas,  and  the  train  from  down  the  river  having 
brought  crowds  of  guests,  the  grounds  and  parlors  were 
filled  with  cheerful  friends.  Twelve  o'clock  arrived.  All 
are  assembled.  Lieutenant  Saberin  and  lone  descended 
first ;  Miss  Hamilton  and  Lieutenant  Mera ;  Miss  Nora 
Kearney  and  Lieutenant  Storme ;  then  the  bride  and 
groom.  The  Doctor,  radiant  with  happiness,  seemed  to 
say, 

"  She  is  mine  own  ! 
And  I  as  rich  in  having  such  a  jewel, 
As  twenty  seas,  if  all  their  sands  were  pearl, 
The  water  nectar,  and  the  rocks  pure  gold." 

The  bridesmaids  represented  all  the  colors  of  the  National 
flag  —  Nora  in  red,  Maria  in  white,  and  lone  in  blue. 
The  officers  in  full  uniform. 

The  greetings  of  Louisa's  father  and  mother  and  broth- 
ers over,  joy  took  the  reins.  The  family  well  knew  she 
would  not  have  to  brave  any  of  the  hardships  of  army 
life,  but  the  thought  was  touching,  that  she  might  be  sta- 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  201 

tioned  where  she  would  have  no  gas  ;  hence  their  sadness. 
That  over,  joy  took  the  reins,  as  I  said  before. 

At  five  o'clock,  the  bridal  party  and  guests  took  the 
trains,  the  former  to  spend  the  night  at  West  Point,  and 
attend  the  twenty-eighth  ball. 

"  2.    To  halt  the  company  marching  in  line  of  battle,  and 
to  align  it" 

The  crowd  at  Roe's  hotel,  were  "  fast  and  furious,"  but 
the  host  "  polite  with  candor,  elegant  with  ease,"  seemed 
a  wizard  in  accommodating  his  dear  five  hundred.  The 
mats  and  blankets  were  laid  in  parlor  and  hall,  while  the 
"  citizen-kings,"  were  grateful  for  a  peg  to  hang  their 
crowns  upon.  The  wedding-party  arrived. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  immediately  consulted  the  pages  of 
what  seemed  to  him  the  "  book  of  fate,"  lo,  there  in  very 
legible  characters,  stood,  "  Lieutenant  Ambert,  and  lady, 
Miss  De  Save,  New  Orleans."  He  sent  his  card  to  their 
room,  grasped  Lieutenant  Alton  by  the  arm  and  said, 
"  Let  me  introduce  you  to  a  dear  friend  of  mine,  rich  and 
beautiful !  I  have  one  lady  too  many  to  attend  to,  to-night ; 
will  you  be  so  very  kind  as  to  take  her  to  the  hop  if  you 
are  disengaged  ?  " 

"  Certainly,  I  am  always  disengaged  when  there  is  an 
heiress  to  escort !  " 

Mrs.  Ambert  and  Pauline  came  down. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  said  he  was  wild  with  delight  at 
their  coming,  introduced  Lieutenant  Alton,  asked  after  his 
friend  Ambert.  He  had  gone  to  Lieutenant  Burlyton's 
tent,  he  would  go  and  find  him.  He  left  Alton  and  Pau- 
line in  a  lively  conversation,  and  "  with  contending  emo- 
tions." 

Lieutenant  Alton  invited  her  to  attend  the  hop  with 
him. 

She  said  she  could  not  accept,  as  Lieutenant  Saberin  had 
invited  her,  last  spring. 

"  Ah  !  "  said  he,  "  I  may  be  able  to  persuade  him  to  re- 


Tactics;  or, 


sign  in  my  favor,  may  I  make  the  audacious  attempt  ?  He 
has  just  returned  with  a  wedding  party  and  has  a  bride's- 
maid  to  take  care  of." 

"  In  such  a  case,  I  will  accept  your  invitation  now." 

Lieutenant  Alton  bowed  and  left  the  parlor,  to  report  to 
his  friend. 

"  But  Saberin,  I  should  think  you  would  rather  give  up 
Miss  Smith  !  Miss  De  Save  is  queenly." 

She  is  !  but  I  cannot  break  up  the  wedding-party  ;  it  is 
only  the  matter  of  walking  over  and  back." 

"The  deuce,  I  imagine  you  will  find  it  more  of  a  mat- 
ter than  that,  if  I  take  her  !  "  and  he  walked  off  highly  in- 
dignant. 

"  3.    Oblique  march  in  line  of  battle" 

The  thousands  of  yards  of  tarleton,  tulle,  and  organdy, 
crowded  into  the  hotel  hall  at  eight  o'clock,  would  have 
astonished  Stewart  or  Lord  &  Taylor.  As  one  puff 
after  another  descended  and  was  carried  off  on  the  arm  of 
cadet  or  officer,  another  came  to  fill  the  place. 

The  wedding  party  stood  waiting  in  the  hall,  when 
Lieutenant  Alton  and  Pauline  swept  by.  "  Who  the  dick- 
ins  has  Alton  got  ?  "  said  Lieutenant  Storme,  "  O,  ye 
gods,  but  is'nt  she  superb  ?  "  Nora  trembled  in  her  silk 
stockings,  and  lone  glanced  as  indifferently  at  her,  as  one 
lies  down,  when  he  hears  the  sounding  of  the  fire-bells, 
and  finds  his  own  walls  cold. 


"Assemble  on  the  Battalion." 
80  =  J  Andante. 


K 


1 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  203 

Pauline  verified  the  description  given  by  Lieutenant 
Ambert  in  his  letter  to  Saberin,  she  moved  through  the 
gay  assemblage,  truly  reminding  one  of  an  Indian  Princess. 
She  wore  a  white  satin  dress,  entirely  covered  with  a 
golden  tissue,  the  dark  waves  of  her  hair  were  wound  with 
chains  of  gold,  and  lay  in  rich  coils  round  her  graceful 
head.  Lieutenant  Alton  thought  her  "  superb,"  and  said 
to  lui-meme,  "  every  man  must  paddle  his  own  canoe,"  he 
pointed  out  the  "  young  bride's-maid  in  blue  as  Lieuten- 
ant Saberin's  bride  elect."  She  was  shocked,  but  chose 
not  to  believe  it. 

He  asked  if  she  was  going  to  Washington. 

Yes,  Mrs.  Ambert  had  promised  some  friends  there, 
that  she  should  return  before  going  south." 

He  asked  to  be  permitted  to  join  their  company  as  he 
was  just  going  on  there. 

She  was  very  glad,  as  it  would  be  agreeable  to  have  a 
larger  party. 

Lieutenant  Alton  was  quite  captivated,  trembled,  fear- 
"ing  Saberin  would  come  and  claim  her. 

Presently  Lieutenant  Mera  came  to  his  side,  and  signi- 
fied a  wish  to  be  introduced  to  Miss  De  Saye. 

Lieutenant  Alton  presented  him  with  a  grand  flourish, 
as  "  Lieutenant  Mera  of  the  United  States  army." 

Mera  crimsoned,  and  invited  her  to  dance.  She  accept- 
ed, and  as  he  bore  her  off  in  triumph,  his  friend  whispered 
"  Bring  her  back  to  me."  He  smiled  an  assent,  but  as 
soon  as  the  dance  was  ended,  invited  her  to  promenade. 
New  Orleans  was  discussed,  as  she  boasted  that  magnificent 
city  as  her  home. 

"  I  think  Mrs.  Ambert  called  you  Pauline,  when  speak- 
ing to  you  in  the  dance  ?  "  said  Lieutenant  Mera. 

"  Yes,  that  is  my  name." 

"  Pauline  De  Saye  !  "  repeated  he. 

"  That  was  my  mother's  name  too,"  said  Pauline.  "  I 
am  all  French.  I  was  born  in  Paris,  and  all  my  father's 
family  live  there  !  " 

"  And  your  mother's  family,  do  they  live  in  New  Or- 
leans ?  ' '  asked  he. 


204  Tactics;  or, 

"  O,  no.  She  was  a  South  Carolinian.  She  had  bnt 
one  brother, — all  her  family  are  dead,"  she  replied. 

"  Was  she  the  widow  of  an  officer  who  was  killed  in 
Florida,  before  she  married  your  father  ?  " 

"  Yes,  she  was  wedded  to  her  first  husband  but  one 
year  when  he  was  killed." 

A  chill  crept  over  Lieutenant  Mera  as  she  finished  the 
sentence.  Just  then  Mr.  Alton  came  to  take  her  for  a 
dance.  Mera  went  to  Lieutenant  Ambert.  "  Who  is  the 
young  lady  attached  to  your  party  ?  " 

"  Miss  De  Saye  ?  She  is  one  of  the  richest  girls  in 
New  Orleans.  But  you  may  keep  your  heart  closely  but- 
toned in,  as  she  is  engaged  to  a  mutual  friend  of  ours  !  " 
he  answered  laughing. 

"  To  whom,  Alton  ?  " 

"  No,  indeed  !  yet  not  to  his  superior,  I  must  confess  ; 
but  one  the  ladies  all  admire  more." 

"  You  cannot  mean  Lieutenant  Saberin  ?  "  said  he, 
turning  pale. 

"  Why  not  ?  I  do  mean  Mr.  Ulm  Saberin,"  he  replied, 
with  a  shrewd  smile,  as  if  he  saw  the  demons  jealousy 
and  doubt,  peeping  through  Mera's  inquiries. 

"  Do  you  know  this  ?  "  asked  Mera,  measuring  his 
words  as  if  they  were  so  many  yards  of  his  heart-strings. 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  know  it  I  "  he  rejoined  haughtily. 

"  Villain  !  "  was  all  that  Ambert  caught,  through  the 
savage  growl,  as  Mera  rushed  from  the  hall. 

Ambert  became  uneasy,  npt  knowing  what  to  fear.  He 
sought  his  wife,  but  she  was  dancing  with  the  Colonel,  and 
Pauline  looked  so  happy  with  Alton,  that  he  gave  her  no 
more  thought. 

Lieutenant  Mera  sought  to  cool  his  throbbing  brow  in 
the  night  air,  but  was  unable  to  stop  away  from  a  scene 
of  so  much  interest  to  him.  Returning,  he  met  Alton 
and  Miss  De  Saye  coming  out  on  the  balcony.  He  had 
been  meditating  challenging  "  the  miscreant,"  as  he  de- 
nominated his  most  loved  class-mate.  He  thought  with 
tears  "  I  will  not  sleep  till  I  have  killed  poor  Saberin." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  205 

Lieutenant  Alton  stopped  him  saying,  "  Mera,  Miss  De 
Saye  did  not  hear  your  name  when  introduced,  and  im- 
agines she  has  known  you  before. 

Lieutenant  Mera  bowed  and  begged  to  converse  a  few 
moments  with  the  lady.  As  soon  as  they  were  alone,  he 
asked  her  to  take  a  seat  on  the  guard-stone. 

She  began,  "  Lieutenant  Mera,  I  am  persuaded  you  are  a 
relative  of  mine,  my  mother  was  a  widow  Mera,  before 
she  married  my  father." 

"  Indeed  !  then  I  am  happy  to  say  there  is  no  doubt  of  it." 

He  buried  his  face  in  his  hands,  and 

"  Eyes  that  mocked  at  tears  before, 
With  bitter  drops  were  running  o'er." 

Pauline  sat  looking  at  him,  afraid  to  speak.  Visions  of 
his  infancy  were  floating  before  him.  A  child-mother, 
with  starry  eyes,  looking  love  into  his  baby  face.  His  soul 
sickened  and  he  nearly  swooned,  with  terrible  and  contend- 
ing emotions.  The  faces  of  lone  ;  his  mother  ;  of  the  now 
hated  Saberin  ;  of  his  new  fonnd  sister ;  danced  before  his 
reeling  brain.  The  cool  night  winds  restored  him.  He 
essayed  to  speak,  but  was  afraid  the  very  tones  of  his  voice 
would  terrify  the  excited  girl.  He  rose,  saying  as  quietly 
as  possible,  yet  as  one  would  imagine  Joseph  to  have  spok- 
en when  he  said,  "  The  old  man, —  is  he  yet  alive  ?  "  — 
"  Your  mother  —  is  she  living  ?  " 

The  light  from  the  door  fell  on  her  face,  she  gave  him  a 
woman's  glance,  her  eyes  softened ;  "  My  mother  ?  I  hope 
so.  What  should  I  do,  if  she  were  not  ?  Is  your  mother 
living  ?  "  she  asked  tenderly. 

He  drew  her  hand  in  his  arm,  without  replying. 

She  exclaimed,  "  There  is  something  you  will  not  tell 
me  —  are  you  ill  ?  " 

"  Have  you  never  heard  your  mother  speak  of  a  little 
boy  she  left,  when  she  went  to  France  ? "  he  enquired 
in  a  low,  melancholy  tone. 

"  O  yes  !  she  often,  often  speaks  of  her  baby  boy,  and 
weeps  bitterly.  He  died  before  I  was  born." 


Tactics;  or, 

"  He  did  not  die,  would  to  God  he  had  !  "  he  said,  un- 
able' to  control  himself. 

She  grasped  his  arm,  unconscious  of  what  she  was  doing. 
"  Do  you  know  him  ?  where,  Oh,  where  is  he  ?  " 

"  Would  you  care  to  know  him  ?  "  he  asked  proudly. 

"  Care  to  know  him  ?  How  can  you  speak  so  !  I  have 
always  longed  for  a  brother  ;  the  pure  light  of  a  sister's  love 
has  ever  burned  before  the  altar  where  my  little  brother 
is  enshrined  in  my  heart  !  "  She  trembled  with  emotion. 

Lieutenant  Mera  was  softened.  ':  Pauline,  you  have 
found  a  brother,  when  perhaps  you  needed  one  most.  I  am 
your  brother."  They  walked  to  the  edge  of  the  balcony, 
and  clasping  each  other's  hands,  wept  in  silence.  Pauline, 
Lieutenant  Ambert  tells  me  you  are  betrothed  to  Lieuten- 
ant Saberin,"  said  he  with  a  sorrowful  voice. 

"  Yes,"  she  answered  "  with  the  proviso  that  mamma 
likes  him." 

"  My  darling,  you  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  an  un- 
principled man  !  The  lady  he  has  in  his  care  to-night,  is 
also  his  betrothed." 

"  Lieutenant  Alton  told  me  so,  but  I  could  not  believe 
it.  Do  you  know  it  to  be  true  ?  "  she  spoke  in  a  very 
humble  tone. 

"  He  told  me  so  this  week  himself,"  he  replied  and  she 
heard  the  words  choking  him,  as  if  he  were  dying,  and 
became  greatly  alarmed. 

She  was  brought  up  in  a  city  where  duels  were  every 
day  aftairs.  She  clung  to  his  arm,  and  murmured  "  What 
shall  I  do?" 

"  Leave  him  to  me ; "  he  said  sternly.  She  burst 
into  tears.  "  Pauline,  do  you  love  him  ?  " 

"•  O,  no  indeed !  I  only  fear  to  lose  you  now." 

Lieutenant  Mera  plead  with  her  to  control  herself,  if  she 
valued  his  life,  while  she  plead  that  he  would  leave  Sa- 
berin to  her  to  punish  him. 

After  reflecting  and  much  persuasion,  he  consented. 
She  was  so  happy  now,  that  she  thanked  God  for  her  es- 
cape and  for  the  protection  He  had  raised  up.  Lit- 
tle thought  the  gay  butterflies  about  them,  of  the  tender 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  207 

scone  passing  so  near  them.  There  was  a  charm  to  the  ro- 
mantic girl  in  the  thought  of  having  a  brother  in  disguise 
in  this  handsome  young  officer,  which  greatly  soothed  the 
sting  that  the  infidelity  of  her  lover  had  inflicted  ; 
while  Lieutenant  Mera  could  scarcely  deny  himself  the 
proud  gratification  of  standing  forth  before  the  multitude, 
an  acknowledged  brother  to  this  beautiful  girl.  One  con- 
sideration held  him  like  bands  of  steel,  —  the  humbling 
thought,  that  his  young  mother  had  deserted  him  when  a 
little  helpless  child,  and  eloped  with  a  young  foreigner  of 
a  distinguished  family.  She  had  no  property,  but  thought 
a  rich  bachelor  brother  and  her  widow  mother,  would  take 
care  of  her  child.  She  suspended  her  brother's  likeness, 
and  a  remarkable  ring  he  had  sent  her  from  India,  on  a 
gold  chain  around  his  neck  for  toys,  these  he  still  had. 
Her  mother  dying  and  giving  her  child  to  his  father's  rel- 
atives, a  proud  austere  family  of  Spanish  descent,  she  never 
returned  to  her  native  state.  He  had  just  begun  to  re- 
hearse the  incidents  of  his  life  to  Pauline,  when  they  were 
interrupted  by  Lieutenant  Alton,  who  keeping  his  eye  on 
Saberin,  saw  him  at  liberty  and  loooking  for  Pauline,  and 
came  to  secure  her.  Entering  the  hall  they  met  him. 

"  Miss  De  Saye,  I  have  come  to  say  that  I  have  at  last 
succeeded  in  disengaging  myself  from  my  bride's-maid, 
will  you  honor  me  with  this  dance  ?  " 

Lieutenant  Mera  stalked  past  him,  and  ground  his  teeth. 

Pauline's  eyes  glittered,  as  she  said,  "  Possible !  have 
you  succeeded  in  entirely  disengaging  yourself  from  her  ? 
You  have  attained  great  skill  in  that  art,  and  accomplish 
those  things  in  double  quick  time  here  !  " 

Saberin  glanced  at  Alton,  but  that  gentleman  not  no- 
ticing him,  said,  "  You  know,  Miss  De  Saye,  that  is  an 
important  part  of  our  education  here,  to  make  quick 
matches." 

"  Yes,  I've  been  told, 

'  You  saucy  Iluzzars 

Only  care  for  love-letters  to  light  your  cigars  ; 
And  'tis  said  —  I  must  tell  you  —  'tis  such  a  good  joke, 
That  with  soldiers,  engagements  cud  always  in  smoke  ! ' 


208  Tactics;  or, 

replied  she,  with  a  toss  of  her  queenly  head  and  a  scorn- 
ful laugh. 

"  Miss  Pauline,  you  wont  refuse  me  one  dance  this  eve- 
ning?" plead  Lieutenant  Saberin. 

"  Most  unfortunately  my  list  is  full." 

"  But  I  must  see  you,  if  only  a  moment  to  explain." 

"  O,  I  assure  you  the  case  will  admit  of  no  explanation," 
said  she  haughtily. 

Lieutenant  Alton  moved  on  with  her,  and  Saberin 
reached  the  dancing  room  just  in  time  to  see  Lieutenant 
Mera  and  lone  set  off  in  a  frantic  redowa. 

"  4.    To  mark  time,  to  march  in  double-quick  time,  and 
the  back  step" 

Were  you  ever  at  a  cadet  hop?  No?  Then  don't 
talk  of  your  grand  parties,  of  your  balls,  sociables,  stiffa- 
bles  and  quadrilliones  !  They,  compared  to  a  live  cadet 
hop,  are  "  bosh,  all  bosh  !  "  in  surgical  parlance.  There 
is  no  waiting  for  the  spirit  to  move,  at  one  of  them.  There 
are  no  solemn  quadrille-marches  without  a  word  to  say  for 
one's-self,  but  in  the  appropriate  and  poetical  words  of 

"  A  SURVIVER." 

"  Round  the  room,  round  the  room, 
Round  the  room,  onward 
Like  a  tee-totum, 
Revolved  the  one  hundred  ; 
For  all  were  in  order, 
And  no  one  had  blundered. 
•  Onward  the  bright  brigade  ! 
'  All  around  ! '     Palfrey  said  ; 
So  round  and  round  the  room 
Spun  the  one  hundred. 
Round  then  the  bright  brigade, 
No  one  the  least  dismayed  — 
None  —  for  the  ladies  knew 
They  never  blundered  ; 
Not  theirs  to  make  reply, 
Not  theirs  to  seem  too  shy, 
Theirs  but  fast  round  to  fly, 
So  round  and  round  the  room 
Whirled  the  one  hundred. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  209 

Rose  all  their  arms  so  bare, 
Flew  all  their  skirts  in  air, 
Sweeping  those  sitting  there 
Whirling  and  spinning,  while 
Lookers-on  wondered  ; 
Trod  on  and  pushed  along, 
Some  looking  quite  forlorn, 
Some  of  their  drapery  shorn, 
Till  they  had  reached  their  chairs 
Spun  the  one  hundred. 
Gas  lights  to  right  of  them, 
Gas  lights  to  left  of  them, 
Gas  lights  above  them, 
By  glass  pendants  sundered 
Laughing  and  blushing  so, 
At  seats  all  rushing  so, 
Heated  and  out  cf  breath. 
And  from  the  figure  there, 
Now  all  have  reached  a  chair, 
All  that  are  really  left 
Of  that  one  hundred. 
When  will  the  next  begin  ? 
Oh,  that  enchanting  spin  ! 
How  old  folks  wondered, 
How  can  they  labor  so, 
Is  that  true  pleasure,  oh, 
Lovely  one  hundred !  " 

"  5.    To  march  in  line  of  battle,  in  retreat.1' 

When  Lieutenant  Saberln  arose  the  next  morning,  the 
first  thing  his  eyes  alighted  on  was  the  following  delicate 
little  billet. 

"  Lieutenant  Saberin  :  — 

Hearing  from  my  brother,  of  your  en- 
gagement to  another,  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  say 
you  are  most  cheerfully  released  from  your  engagement 
to  me. 

With  sentiments,  &c. 

PAULINE  DE  SATE." 

He  read  the  note, a  carte  blanche  for  those  who  are 

adepts  in  these  matters  to  fill  at  their  leisure.     "  Who  — 
is  her  brother  ?  that  —  Alton  has  done  this  !     Heavens, 


210  Tactics;  or, 

what  shall  I  do?  "  "  Send  her  her  ring,"  said  Pride,  and 
he  followed  her  advice. 

At  breakfast  Miss  Randolph  came  and  told  lone  that 
her  father,  who  had  arrived  late  the  night  before,  was 
going  to  take  her  to  Professor  Weir's  studio.  Would  she 
accompany  them  at  eleven  o'clock  ? 

lone  accepted  with  delight. 

Mr.  Randolph  Avas  a  true  type  of  a  Virginian  gentle- 
man of  the  Washington  school,  and  charmed  them  with 
stories  of  his  travels.  He  was  disappointed  at  not  finding 
his  friend  at  home,  hut  his  son  received  them.  They 
stood  before  the  "  Veiled  Nun,"  in  silent  rapture  ;  the 
white  haired  man  was  dumb  before  the  inspiration  of  Gen- 
ius, and  felt  himself  in  the  presence  of  a  divinity.  He 
begged  permission  of  the  young  artist  to  read  a  piece  of 
poetry  he  had  found  while  in  Europe,  years  ago.  It  was 
taken  from  a  number  of  Blackwood.  He  would  like  to 
read  it  to  the  young  ladies  in  this  room.  He  stood  where 
the  light  fell  on  his  silver  locks,  and  read  to  the  beautiful 
group, 

AX  ARTIST'S  STUDIO. 

FROM   BLACKWOOD   OF   JAN.    1851. 

"  I  well  remember  how  the  light,  the  pale,  pure  north  light,  fell 
On  all  within  that  lofty  room,  and  clothed  with  mystic  spell 
A  massive  oaken  cabinet,  and  many  a  curious  chair  — 
Bright  armor  of  the  olden  time,  and  relics  quaint  and  rare. 

"  I  marked  them  well, —  the  gathered  books,  the  painter's  treasures  all: 
Here  was  the  resting  place  of  day,  whatever  might  befall  ; 
The  inner  shrine  of  one  whose  brow  the  stomp  of  genius  bore, 
And  who  the  laurels  of  his  fame  with  childlike  meekness  wore. 

"  I  touched  his  easel  and  his  brush  ;  I  saw  his  colors  laid  — 
Those  simple  implements  of  art,  they  made  me  half  afraid  ; 
For  with  such  trifling  means  alone,  to  bid  their  visions  glow, 
APELLES,  ZECXIS,  RAPUAEL,  wrought  wonders  long  ago  ! 

"  Oh,  many  a  slowly-waning  hour  this  silent  room  alone 

Had  seen  the  dreaming  artist  sit,  like  statue  carved  in  stone  ; 
Absorbed  in  patient  watchfulness  of  all  that  Fancy  brought, 
Gleanings  of  gladness  or  of  gloom  from  out  the  fields  of  thought. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps, 


"  With  steady  gazing  eye  upraised,  he  heeded  not  at  all 

The  light  and  shade  of  shimmering  leaves  upon  his  study  wall  ; 

The  light  that  o'er  his  poet  soul  its  lovely  rudiance  threw, 

Was  shadowless  and  pure  as  stars,  when  all  the  heavens  are  blue. 

"  The  breeze  that  through  the  window  came,  to  fan  his  lifted  br</w, 
Fold  of  sweet  perfumes  all  abroad,  of  blossoms  on  each  bough 
He  heeded  not  its  fluttering,  nor  listened  to  its  sigh, 
As  sadly  it  stole  back  again,  along  the  wave  to  die. 

"  He  recked  not  that  the  golden  eve  on  old  Fort  PUTNAM  glowed, 
Or  that  the  tiwlight  in  the  vale  enveloped  his  abode  ; 
Or  that  the  i-iver  glided  by,  majestic,  calm  and  free, 
While  on  its  bosom  snowy  sails  were  flowing  tranquilly. 

"  For  bright  unto  his  soul  there  came,  while  wrapped  in  revery, 
A  noble  theme  of  other  days,  and  lands  beyond  the  sea  ; 
Of  men  who  strove  in  vain  to  break  the  stern  oppressor's  rod, 
And  boldly  sought  in  other  climes  the  right  to  worship  GOD  ! 

*'  Firm  on  its  heavy  rollers  hung  a  canvas  broad  and  high, 
Dusky  at  first,  but  glowing  soon  with  vivid  imagery  ; 
Life-like  beneath  the  painter's  touch,  the  little  '  Speedwell  '  rose, 
Frail  hopes  of  beating,  trembling  hearts,  escaping  from  their  foes  ! 

"  And  kneeling  on  the  open  deck,  beneath  the  o'erarching  sky, 
A  Bible  in  his  hand  enclasped,  and  heaven-ward,  holy  eye, 
The  pastor  prayed  —  a  thrilling  prayer  —  that  GOD  would  guide  and  bless 
The  pilgrims  and  their  tossing  ship,  in  night  and  loneliness. 

"  That  He  who  with  a  word  can  calm  the  wind  and  wave  at  will, 
To  the  wild  sea  of  Galilee  who  whispered  '  Peace,  be  still  !  ' 
Would  guard  them  with  a  Father's  care,  on  billows  white  with  foam, 
And  grant  them  on  a  foreign  shore,  a  haven  and  a  home  ! 

"  Around  him  bent  a  reverent  group  :  —  a  bridegroom  and  a  bride, 
To  whom  all  places  were  alike,  so  they  were  side  by  side. 
A  mother  and  her  pallid  boy,  with  look  of  patient  woe  — 
Strong  was  the  faith,  high-hearted  one  !  that  prompted  thee  to  go  ! 

*'  Miles  Standish,  with  his  stalwart  form,  and  soul  of  manly  might, 
Ready  to  don  his  armor  there,  and  battle  for  the  right  ; 
While  on  his  shoulder  fondly  leaned  his  wife,  so  fair  and  true  — 
Sweet  Rose  !  how  love  and  sorrow  strove  within  thine  eye  of  blue  ! 

"  CARVER,  and  WHITE,  and  BRADFORD  too,  strong  men  and  stern  were  these; 
They  stayed  not  for  the  unknown  wastes  of  trackless,  stormy  seas  ; 
The  hope  of  safety  and  of  peace  their  every  doubt  beguiled  : 
Here,  dark  Oppression  lower'd  in  gloom  —  there  genial  FREEDOM  smiled 


Tactics;  or, 

"  Childhood  was  there,  and  youth,  with  eye  keen-looking  far  away, 
Longing  to  ride  the  lifting  crest  of  ocean  steeds  at  play  ; 
Naught  cared  he  for  the  coming  night,  for  visions  new  and  strange  ; 
Joy  dwelt  for  him  in  stirring  life,  in  scenes  of  chance  and  change. 

"  And  timid  women  tearless  stood,  with  courage  firm  and  rare, 
Waiting  to  hear  the  deep  '  Amen  '  of  that  most  fervent  prayer, 
And  then  to  see  the  white  sails  set  to  catch  a  favoring  wind, 
And  know  each  early  home  and  friend  forever  left  behind  ! 

"  Borne  from  his  studio's  silent  walls,  to  meet  a  nation's  gaze, 
The  painter's  vision  hath  received  its  meed  of  fitting  praise  ; 
But  dearer  to  his  thoughtful  soul,  of  far  more  solid  worth, 
The  noble  lesson  he  would  teach,  than  all  the  fame  of  earth. 

"  Tell  ye,  0  mute,  yet  speaking  forms,  —  creations  of  his  skill, 
How  trust  in  GOD  and  lofty  hope,  and  firm,  unconquered  will, 
Sustained  and  soothed  each  aching  heart  among  that  little  band 
Who  bore  with  them  across  the  sea,  the  freedom  of  our  land  ! 

"  Thank  GOD,  my  country,  that  the  seed  in  doubt  and  meekness  sown, 
To  such  a  spreading,  lordly  tree  in  later  times  hath  grown  ; 
A  pilgrim  sire's  beloved  name  a  noble  boast  should  be  ; 
A  pilgrim's  grave  a  holy  trust,  Oh,  children  of  the  Free  !  " 

"  LESSON  SIXTH." 

3.   To  march  in  column,  in  route,  and  to  execute   the 
movements  thereto." 

As  our  little  party  left  the  studio,  the  young  artist  ac- 
companied them  to  see  the  tents  struck.  He  told  them 
it  was  a  beautiful  sight,  the  tents  falling  in  an  instant. 
The  crowds  were  hastening  to  the  spot,  regardless  of  the 
burning  rays  of  the  sun.  The  band  was  in  attendance,  and 
the  cadets  were  swinging  their  mallets  about  their  heads 
like  so  many  young  Vulcans,  dealing  blows  on  the  tent- 
pins. 

On  the  ground  Lieutenant  Mera  introduced  Miss  De 
Saye,  whom  he  had  brought  with  him,  to  lone  and  her 
party.  She  asked  many  questions  about  West  Point.  She 
said,  "  Do  you  know  I  always  thought  there  was  some- 
thing magical  in  the  falling  of  the  tents,  but  I  should  call  this 
taking  down  the  tents !  "  As  she  said  the  word  tents,  she 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  213 

glanced  over  her  shoulder  an  instant,  and  on  looking  back 
to  see  the  cause  of  the  huzzas,  she  was  so  startled  at  the 
collapsed  appearances  of  the  camp-ground,  she  fairly 
shrieked.  Every  one  laughed  that  heard  the  "  O  !  "  and 
saw  the  affright  depicted  on  her  face. 

Unhappy  Lieutenant  Saberin  stood  off  near  the  Colonel, 
not  daring  to  approach  either  of  his  flames,  lest  he  should 
be  rolled  up  like  a  scroll. 

Lieutenant  Alton  came  up,  "  looking  lovely,"  in  his 
travelling  suit,  — "  All  ready  for  the  omnibus  Miss  De 
Save  ?  "' 

"  Yes,  I  need  not  return  to  the  hotel."  She  bid  lone  a 
tender  good-bye,  wishing  they  might  meet  again. 

Lieutenant  Mera  scarcely  touched  lone's  hand,  saying, 
"  Remember  what  I  said  the  night  I  came  near  drowning 
you  !  " 

lone  looked  up,  her  eyes  welled  over,  and  she  said,  "  I 
will,  Lieutenant  Mera ;  I  promise  you  I  will  not  act  unad- 
visedly." 

The  omnibus  stopped  in  front  of  camp,  and  the  many 
that  were  to  leave,  bade  adieu  again  and  again,  to  their 
friends.  Lieutenant  Alton  ran  back  twice  to  shake  hands 
with  lone.  Lieutenant  Mera  returned  to  linger  a  moment 
near,  and  gave  one  look  of  agony  that  lone  never  forgot. 
"  Well,  I  should  not  wonder  if  he  should  change  his  mind 
about  marrying  a  rich  girl,  for  he  looks  at  Miss  De  Saye 
very  lovingly,"  thought  she.  She  walked  off  the  camp- 
ground perfectly  unconscious  that  she  had  come  there  with 
any  one,  till  she  found  the  polished  young  artist  had  kept 
near  her  and  was  now  at  her  side.  He  walked  to  the  hotel 
with  her,  and  bade  her  adieu  in  a  very  graceful  manner. 
She  met  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  who  faced  about,  and  offered 
her  his  arm,  stepping  as  if  he  were  walking  over  dogs  and 
cats.  A  bleak  smile  played  coldly  over  her  face.  He  sighed 
like  a  blacksmith's  bellows,  and  repeated  in  the  saddest, 
and  sweetest  way  — 

"  Alas,  for  my  weary  and  care-haunted  bosom  ! 

The  spells  of  the  spring-time  arouse  it  no  more, 


214  Tactics;  or, 

The  songs  in  the  wild-wood,  the  sheen  in  the  blossom, 
The  fresh  swelling  fountain  —  their  magic  is  o'er  ! 

When  I  list  to  the  stream,  when  I  look  to  the  flowers, 
They  tell  of  the  past  with  so  mournful  a  tone, 

That  I  call  up  the  throngs  of  my  long  vanished  hours, 
And  sigh  that  their  transports  are  over  and  gone." 

Singing  "  Ri  tu,  di  nu,  di  na  ?  " 

"  You  are  a  host  of  joy  in  yourself,  Lieutenant  Burly- 
ton.  I  cannot  be  very  miserable,  while  you  are  left  ;  I  wish 
every  body  was  just  like  you,  and  then  this  world  would 
not  be  such  a  "  weary,  stale,  flat  and  unprofitable,  unweed- 
ed  garden." 

He  answered  in  a  half  bitter,  half   sentimental  way, 

"  Don't  you  know  that  the  people  wont  employ 

A  man  who  wrongs  his  manliness,  by  laughing  like  a  boy  ? 
And  suspects  the  azure  blossom  that  unfolds  upon  the  shoot, 
As  if  wisdom's  old  potato  could  not  nourish  at  its  root." 

lone  laughed  heartily.  They  went  into  the  parlor  and 
she  sung,  "  Robin  Adair,"  for  him.  He  was  much  affect- 
ed, said  it  was  his  lullaby  when  he  was  a  baby,  that  she 
must  stop  or  she  would  have  him  boo-hoo-ing  right  out. 
But  he  was  ha-ha-ing  a  few  moments  after,  and  begging 
her  "  To  take  him  for  her  lover,  and  let  all  those  incon- 
stant swains  glide,  they  were  not  worth  one  of  those  invalu- 
able pearls  he  saw  in  her  eyes,  when  he  met  her." 

At  parade  Mrs.  Bobaline  was  startled  by  hearing  the 
order  read  that  Lieutenant  Bobaline  was  ordered  to  Wash- 
ington immediately.  She  clung  to  lone's  arm,  and  looked 
into  her  face  aghast.  She  could  not  tell  whether  she  was 
glad  or  sorry.  After  she  had  regained  her  composure,  she 
said,  "  I  wonder  if  Lieutenant  B.  has  applied  to  be 
relieved.  In  his  last  letter,  he  said  he  would  be  at  home 
soon,  but  dreaded  the  duties  of  West  Point  more  than 
ever."  The  ladies  gathered  round  her  to  express  their 
sincere  sorrow  at  the  prospect  of  losing  one  who  had  been 
the  life  of  the  post.  The  officers  stood  oft'  in  front  of  the 
**  officers'  quarters,"  making  their  own  comments.  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin  left  them  and  walked  after  Mrs.  Bobaline 
as  she  left  the  parade  ground.  He  politely  expressed  his 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  215 

regret  that  she  was  going,  and  said  the  winter  would  be  un- 
endurable ;  but  if  this  political  excitement  continued, 
they  would  probably  all  meet  at  Washington. 

"  Yes."  cried  Lieutenant  Burlyton,  "  as  the  beavers  do 
at  the  hatter's.  That's  fur  enough  from  —  from  — " 

"  From  one  head  !  "  laughed  lone.  "  I  fear  you'll  need 
a  scratch  after  that." 

" 1  think  you  have  given  me  one,  '  free  gratis.' ' 

"  If  we  have  war,  I  hope  Lieutenant  B.  will  resign  ! 
If  he  does  not,  I  shall  go  home  to  Florida." 

"  Don't  '  secesh,'  while  under  orders,  Mrs.  Bobaline  ; 
that  would  not  be  honorable,  you  know  !  "  said  Lieutenant 
Burlyton. 

"  I  think  things  are  coining  to  a  pretty  pass,  if  there  is 
to  be  a  war  because  Southerners  will  not  free  their  slaves, 
and  work  their  plantations  themselves,  like  your  great 
northern  men  do.  I  presume  that  at  home,  this  President 
of  yours  was  no  better  than  any  slave  in  the  South  !  ac- 
tually digging  in  his  own  farm  !  Just  think  of  putting 
such  a  man  to  rule  over  gentlemen. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  glanced  scornfully  at  her,  while 
Lieutenant  Burlyton  called  a  dragoon  to  haul  down  those 
stars  and  stripes  and  run  up  a  palm-leaf  fan,  which  threw 
Mrs.  Bobaline  and  Mrs.  Maryglot  into  spasms  of  laughter. 
Mrs.  Bobaline  turned  away  angry  at  herself  for  counte- 
nancing him  in  his  ridicule  of  her  dear,  sacred  South. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  walked  between  her  and  lone  to  the 
hotel,  and  took  seats  on  the  piazza. 

Lieutenant  Burlyton  offered  Madam  Maryglot  his  arm, 
and  conversed  quite  intelligibly  till  they  arrived  at  the 
foot  of  the  steps.  He  said,  "  Let's  go  and  make  friends 
with  poor  Mrs.  Bobaline,"  and  rushed  along  the  piazza, 
dragging  the  old  lady  by  the  arm,  until  he  confronted  Mrs. 
Bobaline.  He  bowed  to  the  floor.  "  Madam,  '  horresco 
referens !  '  what  I  heard  at  parade,  entre  nous  ;  this  is  a 
faux  coup  !  When  you  leave,  I  will  turn  down  my  chap- 
eau  de  bras,  and  make  a  monachus  of  myself,  mais  quand 
on  empriente'  on  ne  choisit  pas !  on  dit,  poco  a  poco,  post 


216  Tactics;  or, 

nubila  jubila !  moi  vous  oublier  ?  non  jatnais  !  honi  soit, 
qui  raal  y  pense !  Ich  dien,  E  pluribus  unum  !  "  at 
the  last  word  he  put  his  hand  on  his  heart,  threw  back  his 
head,  and  waved  it  to  and  fro,  as  if  he  were  executing  a 
trill  in  an  opera ;  then  turning  abruptly  to  Madam  Marv- 
glot,  who  stood  holding  her  sides,  "  Sprachen  sie  deutsch  ?  " 
said  he  in  a  most  polished  and  graceful  manner,  "  Quid 
vides  ?  "  he  exclaimed  saucily  to  the  other  ladies. 

"  Ha  !  ha !  ha  !  O,  you  fool !  "  screamed  the  amiable  old 
lady,  in  great  distress. 

"  ARTICLE  FIRST." 

"  To  break  the  company  into  platoons." 

Lieutenant  Bobaline  returned  in  a  few  days,  and  insist- 
ed that  lone  should  spend  the  winter  in  Washington,  with 
them.  Viola  was  heart-broken  at  leaving  Lieutenant 
Saberin  and  her  cadet  friends,  but  Washington  contained 
many  to  interest  a  beautif  '1  woman,  and  she  consoled  her- 
self with  the  thoughts  of  what  a  Phillipa  she  would  be 
there.  Lieutenant  Saberin  made  himself  perfectly  fascina- 
ting now  that  Lieutenant  Mera  was  gone,  and  with  his  beau- 
ty and  sweetness  of  manner  and  disposition,  a  woman  must 
be  adamant  not  to  do  as  our  heroines  did.  fall  in  love  anew 
with  him.  He  was  kind  and  considerate  with  lone,  never  al- 
lowing the  slightest  change,  or  shade  of  change  of  his  ten- 
derness toward  her,  gave  her  no  opportunity  to  find  fault 
with  him.  She  could  scarcely  recognize  him  as  the  same 
man.  Mrs.  Bobaline  was  occupied  in  making  preparations 
for  her  winter's  campaign,  and  overseeing  her  packing ;  but 
when  she  did  appear,  Lieutenant  Saberin  was  her  ever 
ready  and  willing  attendant.  On  the  morning  of  her  de- 
parture, lone  said  farewell  to  West  Point  with  deep  re- 
fgret.  She  was  to  leave  Madam  Maryglot,  who  however 
promised  to  go  after  them  as  soon  as  the  cold  weather  com- 
menced. She  must  say  good-bye  to  jolly  Lieutenant  Bur- 
lyton.  What  should  she  do  for  some  one  to  make  her  laugh 


£B 

Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  217 

when  she  was  sad,  and  say  touching  things  when  she  was 
laughing  ?  But  he  said  he  should  apply  to  be  stationed 
near  her,  and  resign  if  Mr.  Secretary  did  not  comply. 
Cadet  Smith  would  come  to  see  her  as  soon  as  lie  gradu- 
ated, and  Lieutenant  Saberin  accompanied  them  as  far  as 
New  York,  and  whispered  to  lone  that  if  he  was  not  or- 
dered to  Washington  before  spring,  he  should  get  a  leave 
to  spend  a  week  with  her.  These  asurances  robbed  her  sev- 
eral partings  of  their  sting. 

"  To  re-form  the  company." 

Arrived  in  Washington,  the  first  persons  Mrs.  Bobaline 
and  lone  met,  were  Lieutenants  Alton  and  Mera  ;  now 
bosom  friends.  They  greeted  the  party  as  if  they  were 
relatives.  The  first  question  Lieutenant  Mera  asked  Lieu- 
tenant Bobaline,  was,  "  Are  you  going  to  stand  firm*?" 
Lieutenant  Bobaline  grasped  his  hand,  saying,  "  I  can't 
give  up  the  old  stars  and  stripes  !  I  cannot  fight  under 
any  thing  else  !  How  are  you  ?  " 

"  Firm  as  a  rock  !  "  said  Mera.  Lieutenant  Alton  waved 
his  cap  above  their  heads,  repeating, 

"  O'er  the  proud  heads  of  freemen,  our  star-banner  waves, 
Men  firm  as  their  mountains  and  still  as  their  graves  !  " 

"  You  know  Ambert  has  gone  over?"  said  Lieutenant 
Mera. 

"  Gone  under,  you  mean  !  "  Lieutenant  Bobaline  replied. 

"  The  night  before  he  left,"  said  Alton  "  we  gave  him  a 
supper,  and  embraced  all  round  at  parting,  —  possibly  to 
meet  next  on  the  battle-field,  ugh  !  " 

10 


218  Tactics;  or, 


ARTICLE  EIGHTEENTH. 

Time  flew  to  lone,  in  sight-seeing,  with  Viola  i'rom 
day  to  clay.  Viola  was  constantly  meeting  old  army  ac- 
quaintances, and  attended  by  half  a  dozen  distinguished 
gentlemen,  her  ladyship  became  quite  reconciled  to  the 
change,  and  as  '•  soft  as  the  dawn." 

Madam  Maryglot  came  on  in  haste,  the  first  rebuff  she 
received  from  "  Storm  King,"  who  holds  undisputed  swav 
over  "'  all  he  surveys."  quite  half  the  year.  Her  very 
caps  and  ribbons  brought  up  charming,  lovely,  enchanting 
West  Point  now.  She  told  lone  all  the  news,  brought  her  a 
love-letter  from  Lieutenant  Saberin,  and  a  bouquet  of  au- 
tumn leaves,  from  Lieutenant  Smith,  which  she  wore  in 
her  hair  to  the  President's  levee,  then  pressed  them  on 
Bristol  board,  and  framed  them  to  hang  in  her  room. 

Lieutenant  Mera  had  introduced  to  her  a  lovely  young 
girl,  the  daughter  of  an  M.  C.,  — Miss  Mary  Greenleaf.  He 
had  been  very  attentive  to  this  lady,  so  much  so,  that  lone 
was  jealous  for  Miss  De  Save,  who  had  been  spirited  awav 
almost  immediately  after  her  arrival  in  Washington,  by 
Lieutenant  Ambert  and  lady,  seeming  to  feel  worse  at 
parting  with  Lieutenant  Alton  than  with  Lieutenant  Mera. 
lone  began  to  suspect  an  engagement  between  her  new 
friend  and  her  old  beau,  Lieutenant  Mera.  He  was  strange- 
ly variable  in  his  treatment  of  lone,  sometimes  with  the 
affectionate  familiarity  of  a  brother,  and  at  others  cold 
and  distant,  as  if  he  was  deeply  offended.  Madam  Mary- 
glot,  the  repository  for  all  her  sorrows,  would  be  duly  in- 
formed, and  then  she  would  forget  it  all  till  the  next  time. 
Mrs.  Bobaline  was  attending  a  party  every  night,  and 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  219 

sleeping  all  clay.  After  the  first  month,  lone  became  so 
weary  of  society,  with  a  mind  ill  at  ease,  that  only  on  es- 
pecial occasions  would  she  accompany  her  aunt  and  uncle. 
Lieutenants  Smith  and  Corridor  she  saw  whenever  they 
came  in  from  camp.  Her  weariness  of  everything  in\Va<h- 
ington  was  not  abated  by  the  reception  of  a  letter  from  her 
sister  younger  than  herself.  It  had  gone  thousands  of 
miles  out  of  its  way,  came  to  West  Point  after  her  depart- 
ure from  that  post,  and  was  fonvarded  to  her. 

"  SAN  FRANCISCO  March  25,  1861. 

Darling  Isie. 

You  wish  me  to  write,  to  atone  for  all  mamma's  omis- 
sions by  telling  you  every  thing  we  do  every  day  !  Well, 
you  know  the  old  routine,  studies,  rides,  sails,  etc.  There 
are  some  charming  young  officers  here  now.  Our  lovely 
Dr.  H.  brings  them  to  spend  the  evenings  with  us,  and  Kdes- 
tina  often  comes  in,  and  then  we  wish  for  you,  and  Gertrude 
is  called  upon  for  the  sweet  songs  she  warbles  so  like  a  bird ; 
her  favorite  she  always  sings,  "  Farewell  !  —  but  whenever 
you  welcome  the  hour,"  and  when  she  murmurs,  "  1  wish 
she  were  here!"  we  all  join  in  but  mamma, —  I'll  not 
tell  you  what  she  does.  The  spring  and  summer  has  been 
very  gay,  but  as  I  have  not  "  come  out  "  yet,  I  see  but 
little  of  it.  Now  "•  I'll  wager,"  as  mamma  says,  that  you 
have  not  been  written  a  word  about  our  holidays,  and  all 
our  presents. .  Yours  were  bought  the  same  as  if  you  were 
here  !  You  wrote  about  the  deckings  of  churches,  etc. 
with  evergreens.  "  The  sweet  spring  comes  to  deck  our 
lovely  land !"  For  three  days  before  Christmas,  mamma, 
Dr.  II.,  and  Lieutenant  I)e  See,  and  us  four  girls,  attended 
t!u-  sales  and  auction  at  Blank  and  Fladi  Halls,  and  the 
Dr.  said  that  the  scene  rivalled  Paris.  He  said,  that  we 
saw  enough  Japanese  cabinets  sold,  to  "  furnish  one  to  every 
house  here,  and  then  supply  \Vashington  with  a  new  one 
every  week  for  the  next  four  years  !  "  There  were  nine 
festivals  in  the  city  Christmas  eve ;  we  attended  one. 
There  were  five  hundred  children  gathered  around  loaded 


Tactics;  or, 

tables,  and  an  immense  evergreen,  forty  feet  high,  which 
bore  gifts  on  every  twig.  There  was  delightful  music,  and 
the  children  played  and  danced,  and  Grace  had  her  arms 
full  of  gifts,  and  a  stocking  full  the  next  morning.  New 
Year's  eve  a  terrible  shower  set  in,  and  we  feared  we  should 
have  a  rainy  day  for  our  calls.  Gertrude  and  Edestina 
came  in  all  the  rain,  and  we  were  all  to  sleep  in  your  room. 
It  stormed  till  nearly  twelve  o'clock,  and  then  we  sat  in 
the  open  window,  not  a  breath  of  wind  stirring,  and  the 
moon  shone  like  day  on  the  bay,  turning  the  crest  of  the 
waves  all  to  snow.  O,  it  was  glorious  !  Gertrude  sang, 
and  Edestina  too.  We  were  saluted  at  twelve  with  the 
booming  of  cannon.  At  seven  o'clock  the  next  morning 
we  threw  open  our  windows,  and  it  was  June  !  The  warm 
rain  had  brought  out  all  your  delicious  flowers  in  full 
bloom  ;  the  warm  sunshine  turned  everything  to  gold,  and 
across  the  bay,  the  ridge  three  thousand  feet  high,  you 
know  the  snow  on  its  top  looked  like  a  vast  opal,  with 
the  rays  of  the  sun,  while  the  warm  ravines  at  its  base  in 
their  green  freshness  was  like  an  emerald  setting.  The  birds 
were  flitting  about  and  the  humming  bird  clinging  to  the 
legumes  of  the  locust  trees,  made  it  all  look  like  fairy-land. 
We  dressed  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  went  into  the  gar- 
den to  cull  flowers  to  deck  our  tables  and  parlors.  The 
Jeddo  urn  on  the  side-board,  we  filled  with  gilly  flowers,  ver- 
benas, red  and  white  roses,  fuchias,  veronica,  abutilons, 
mignionette  and  heliotropes,  and  locusts  and  acacias,  all 
out  of  our  own  garden,  and  all  the  Japanese  vases  were 
filled  with  flowers.  Your  Lamarque  roses,  and  Australian 
pea,  made  a  lovely  bouquet.  We  dressed  our  hair  a  la 
Japanese,  and  drank  our  coffee  from  the  Japanese  cups  ; 
sliced  Oregon  apples,  weighing  two  pounds  each,  on  the 
Japanese  plates ;  had  bananas  and  melons  in  Japanese 
dishes  ;  received  cards  on  the  Japanese  platter  ;  arranged 
the  Josses,  or  Japanese  gods,  on  the  mantle  piece,  and  dis- 
played all  the  trays  and  work  baskets  and,  (this  is  a  secret) 
we  "  showed  off,''  three  new  Japanese  cabinets,  all  presents, 
yours  the  largest  and  most  beautiful,  and  a  surprise  for 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  221 

S)u  on  your  return  !  —  not  from  mamma,  —  from  the  good 
r.  H.,  don't  dare  to  mention  it,  or  I  will  freeze  you  into  ice 
cream  !  We  had  two  hundred  calls  from  gentlemen  with- 
out overcoats,  in  parlors  without  fires  ;  and  at  dark  sat 
down  to  dinner,  and  all  cried  a  tear  or  two  about  you. 
Here  is  the  bill  of  fare :  "  Radishes  straight  from  the 
ground,  and  cauliflowers  fresh  and  tender.  Isn't  that  any- 
thing to  make  a  fuss  about  ?  well,  we  had  lettuce  not 
raised  under  glass.  Are  you  still  stoical  ?  we  had  new 
potatoes,  and  splendid  ones  too  ;  and  a  heaping  dish  of  green 
peas,  genuine  marrowfats,  large  and  sweet.  Now  you  begin 
to  open  your  eyes,  I  see,  if  not  your  mouth.  I  don't  speak 
of  the  fresh  salmon,  that  is  a  drug  with  us  all  the  time. 
But  wait  for  the  climax  —  strawberries  !  do  you  hear  that  ? 
grown  within  city  limits,  in  the  open  air,  without  any 
stimulant  or  coaxing,  and  we  had  a  large  box  of  them,  and 
their  average  size  was  that  of  a  big  walnut, —  I  shan't  tell 
you  what  they  cost."  Why  don't  you  speak  of  coming 
home  ?  The  Dashers  often  speak  of  you,  and  how  much 
they  enjoyed  your  society  on  the  voyage,  Mi's.  Dasher 
says  she  loves  you  from  head  to  foot.  We  all  send  you  a 
sweet  kiss,  mamma  and  all ;  and  our  best  love  to  our  beau- 
tiful new  aanty,  she  must  bring  you  home  to  us  and  stay 
as  long  with  us  as  you  have  with  her.  But  uncle  !  how 
we  would  like  to  see  him  Just  think  of  he  and  mamma 
not  knowing  each  other.  Do  make  him  come  to  see  us.  I 
cannot  bear  to  stop  writing,  but  here  I  am  with  pages 
checkered  over  and  over,  and  no  more  place  to  write ! 
Dear,  dear,  dear  Isie,  all  send  kisses  and  love  more  than 
tongue  can  tell. 

YOUR  OWN  DAISY. 


lone  sat  in  her  room  and  wept  herself  nearly  sick  over 
tiiis  letter. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  and  Mrs.  Maryglot  were  out,  and  went 
to  seek  the  recluse  as  soon  as  they  came  in.  They  sup- 
posed she  had  heard  the  death  of  her  dearest  friend,  her 


cheeks  were  so  blistered  with  tears.  She  read  them  the 
letter. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  was  wild  over  it.  She  would  go  home 
with  lone  :  — "  Let  us  go  immediately,  and  you,  Mrs. 
Maryglot,  with  us  !  " 

"  Thank  you,  I  should  prefer  not  being  snapped  up  and 
taken  to  Barbadoes  or  Barbary,  by  your  enterprising  pri- 
vateers," she  replied  grufly. 

Oh,  sure  enough  !  we  can't  go  out  of  our  own  country, 
or  stay  in  it  in  safety  !  "  said  Mrs.  Bobaline,  for  the  first 
moment  tasting  some  of  the  bitter  fruits  of  secession. 
They  went  to  their  parlor. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  came  in,  and  Mrs.  Bobaline  must 
read  him  ''  the  letter  from  Paradise."  He  was  charmed, 
and  told  lone  he  thought  he  would  wait  till  he  saw  "  Dai- 
sy." He  knew  Dr.  H.  very  well  —  had  been  with  him  in 
Mexico.  They  made  lone  describe  her  home,  and  the 
bay,  and  the  golden  gate  and  Fort,  and  the  entrance  into 
the  city  at  night,  so  like  the  scenes  depicted  in  the  "  Ara- 
bian Nights,"  and  Mrs.  Viola  was  justly  indignant  that 
she  had  been  permitted  to  remain  in  ignorance  of  such  a 
wonderful  place  till  this  time. 


"  Position  of  the  Sword  or  Sabre,  under  Arms." 

Cards  were  issued  to  the  bon  ton  of  Washington,  for  a 
grand  reception  at  the  mansion  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
Mr.  Seward.  The  elegant  saloons  were  ablaze,  every  per- 
son of  distinction  was  present,  and  the  assemblage  had 
more  the  appearance  of  a  foreign  court,  than  of  a  demo- 
cratic party.  "  Our  Chief,"  the  Lieutenant  General  of 
the  American  army,  was  present,  moving  among  the 
throng,  with  the  majesty  of  a  sovereign  by  "  Divine 
right."  Many  a  line  of  care  is  added  to  his  brow. 
What  wonder  ?  His  gigantic  mind  grasps  the  terrible 
responsibilities  resting  on  every  freeman,  high  and  low.  in 
all  their  magnitude,  realizing  that  they  are  sufficient  to 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  223 

crush  an  archangel,  unassisted  by  the  Almighty  hand. 
May  God  direct  him  !  On  all  sides  one  can  see  the  wise 
and  sage  of  our  land  —  the  paddlers  of  our  canoe  of  state. 
Not  inappropriate  is  the  motto  we  see  inscribed  on  the  ser- 
vice of  blue  and  gold, —  "  esse  quam  videri."  Near  the 
door  stand  a  group  of  United  States  army  officers,  survey- 
ing the  gorgeous  scone.  "  Our  young  engineer  officers," 
I  presume,  or  they  would  not  be  surveying  at  such  a  time. 

At  length  one  of  them  directs  the  attention  of  the  rest 
to  a  foreigner,  —  a  distinguished  looking  young  man,  with 
a  lady  leaning  on  his  arm*  "  Who  are  those  ?  She  is  the 
most  beautiful  woman  I  have  seen  to  night,"  he  said. 

The  gentlemen  stared  and  admired,  but  did  not  know. 

The  eldest  of  the  party  questioned  some  one  standing 
near,  and  found  the  gentleman  to  be  a  young  attachd,  but ' 
could   not  learn  who  the  lady  was,  —  surmised  her  to  be 
his  wife. 

The  first  officer  that  spoke,  vowed  he  must  know  who 
she  was,  and  with  this  view  set  off  after  them  to  ascertain 
who  their  acquaintances  might  be,  but  they  appeared  to 
know  only  each  other,  as  they  looked  "  neither  here  nor 
there,"  but  into  each  other's  faces;  He  said  "they are  not 
married,  but  may  be  engaged,"  and  tried  to  distinguish 
how  they  addressed  each  other,  but  they  spoke  so  low,  he 
could  only  hear  that  they  were  conversing  in  French.  The 
more  he  watched  the  girl's  beautiful  face  and  graceful 
play  of  features,  the  more  interested  he  became,  and  the 
fact  that  she  was  a  foreigner,  and  evidently  the  young 
man's  betrothed,  only  added  to  his  flame.  Late  in 
the  evening  found  him  still  her  shadow,  yet  not  once  had 
the  heavenly  blue  eyes  re'sted  on  him,  so  entirely  were 
they  engrossed  by  the  pair  of  dark  hazel  ones  at  her  side. 

"  She  gazed  upon  a  world  she  scarcely  knew  — 
As  seeking  not  to  know  it, 
And  kept  her  heart  serene,  within  its  zone  ; 
There  was  an  awe  in  the  homage  which  she  drew 
Her  spirit  seemed  as  seated  on  a  throne, 
Apart  from  the  surrounding  world,  and  strong 
In  its  own  strength,  — most  strange  in  one  so  young/' 


Tactics;  or, 

Still  lingering  near  the  unconscious  pair,  he  was  startled 
by  a  hand  laid  on  his  shoulder,  and  a  familiar  voice.  "  O 
Saberin,  you  here  ?  "  He  started  as  if  he  had  been  shot 
when  he  saw  Lieutenant  Bobaline.  They  shook  hands 
and  went  in  search  of  the  ladies.  He  found  lone  not  at 
all  inferior  to  the  belles  of  Washington  in  her  San  Fran- 
ciscan ball  dress,  and  Indian  jewels,  and  took,  what  he  sup- 
posed was  his  place  beside  her,  but  she  was  lost  to  the 
world  for  the  hour,  in  listening  to  the  wiling  voice  of  a 
fascinating  little  R.  N.  to  whom  she  introduced  her  inevit- 
able inheritor ;  but  the  R.  N.  stood  his  ground,  without  the 
slightest  idea  of  giving  up  the  ship,  and  stood  by  her  till 
the  last  man  left,  in  search  of  Madam  Bobaline,  who  showed 
too  plainly  her  delight  at  the  addition  of  this  brilliant  to 
her  crown. 

"  Where  are  you  stopping  ?  you  must  come  to  us!  " 

"  Beyond  a  question,  what  would  be  more  charming 
than  to  re-form  our  West  Point  circle,  complete  in  Wash- 
ington !  "  It  was  farthest  from  his  thoughts  at  that  mo- 
ment to  change  his  hotel,  at  least  not  till  he  had  accom- 
plished an  object,  and  that  was  to  find  out  his  incognita. 
He  could  not  at  once  give  up  his  habit  of  going  on  from 
"  conquering  to  conquer." 

Lieutenant  Bobaline  came  to  say,  they  must  go  home  to 
breakfast. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  attended  lone  to  the  carriage,  whis- 
pering a  tender  little  speech  about  his  happiness  being 
complete,  as  they  drove  away  ! 

"  MANUAL." 
"  Far  relieving  Sentinels" 

At  the  fashionable  hour  for  calling,  Lieutenant  Saberin 
dressed  in  all  the  "  pride  and  pomp  of  glorious  war," 
thought  he  would  see  the  buildings  of  interest,  and  then 
call  on  lone.  He  accordingly  took  himself  to  see  the 
home  of  the  Russian  minister.  There  were  many  more 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps, 

abroad  on  the  same  errand,  that  is,  reviewing  the  public 
buildings. 

"  There  were  foreigners  of  much  renown, 

Of  various  nations,  and  all  Volunteers  ; 
Not  fighting  for  the  country  or  its  crown, 

But  wishing  to  be  one  day  brigadiers  ; 
Also  to  have  the  sacking  of  a  town  ; 

A  pleasant  thing  to  young  men  of  their  years, 
'Mongst  them  were  several  Englishmen  of  pith, 

Sixteen  called  Russell,  and  nineteen  named  Smith  !  " 

Lieutenant  Saberin  promenaded  past  Russian  Place, 
after  a  very  troubadourish  fashion,  gazing  as  a  miner  would 
for  glittering  ore,  but  no  soft  blue  eyes  looked  forth  from 
the  casement,  or  golden  locks  gleamed  from  the  doorway, 
and  too  late,  for  his  call,  he  hurried  to  his  hotel,  lest  he 
should  lose  his  dinner.  At  a  most  unheard-of  hour,  when 
all  ladies  of  taste,  are  "  snoozing  !  "  Lieutenant  Saberin 
sent  his  card  up  to  Miss  Smith.  She  was  alone  in  the 
parlor,  Viola  was  permitting 

"  Sleep  to  kill  those  pretty  eyes, 
And  give  as  soft  attachment  to  her  senses 
As  infants —  empty  of  all  thought." 

As  he  entered,  lone  arose  saying,  "  I  feel  the  breezes  of 
West  Point  fanning  my  cheek,  when  I  see  you,  Lieuten- 
ant Saberin  !  " 

"  Yes,  and  they  sent  their  regards  to  you  and  a  kiss," 
said  he  laughing.  "  But  ah,  West  Point  is  sadly  changed." 

"  Changed  ?  West  Point  cannot  change.  Her  beauties 
changeless,  her  hills  everlasting,  her  Hudson  exhaustless, 
and  her  sunsets  to  eternity, 

"  Fairest  of  all  that  earth  beholds,  the  hues, 

That  live  among  the  clouds,  and  flush  the  air 
Lingering  and  deepening  at  the  hour  of  dews." 

"  Oh,  Miss  lone,  you  make  it  a  heaven,  when  without 
the  presence  of  those  we  love,  i\  is  the  reverse,  while 


Tactics ;  or, 

'  Heaven  would  be  hell,  if  loved  ones  were  not  there, 
And  any  spot  a    heaven,  if  we  coul  1  save 
From  every  stain  of  earth,  and  thither  bear, 

The  hearts  that  are  to  us  our  hope  and  care  ; 
The  soil  whereon  our  purest  pleasures  grow, 

Around  the  quiet  hearth,  we  often  share, 
From  the  quick  change  of  thought,  the  tender  flow 

Of  fondness  waked  by  smiles,  the  world  we  love  below  ! '  " 

lone  said,  "  Really,  you  should  have  an  audience,  you 
recite  so  well !  " 

"  I  wish  no  more  appreciative  audience,  than  I  have  at 
present." 

She  asked  if  he  had  seen  many  he  knew  since  he  came. 
He  replied,  no  —  he  had  spent  the  morning  looking  at  the 
buildings. 

She  asked  in  surprise,  if  he  had  never  been  in  Washing- 
ton before. 

"  O  yes,  many  times  !  but  there  are  sights  of  beauty  we 
cannot  see  too  often  !  "  He  could  not  appear  himself,  was 
restless,  at  last  plead  an  engagement,  and  promised  to 
call  soon  again. 

A  few  moments  after  he  left,  Mary  Greenleaf  entered  to 
tell  lone  she  was  going  to  ride  on  horseback. 

"  Why  did  you  not  come  in  sooner?  I  would  have  in- 
troduced you  to  such  a  handsome  young  officer  !  " 

"  I  am  always  a  '  day  after  the  fair,'  why  didn't  you 
send  for  me  ?  " 

"  I  will  when  he  comes  again."  The  girls  chatted  on 
till  it  was  time  for  the  ride.  lone  stood  in  the  window,  and 
watched  her  out  of  sight.  :She  felt  a  little  sad  about  Lieu- 
tenant Saberin's  call,  —  it  had  left  an  unpleasant  impression 
on  her  heart,  and  she  intuitively  attacked  the  book-case, 
for  Pickwick,  which  she  had  not  seen  since  she  left  West 
Point.  She  took  the  old  volume  down,  with  a  very  solemn 
face,  but  before  long  forgot  her  own  griefs,  to  be  happy 
"with  Samivel."  When  Viola  came  down,  she  told  her  of 
Lieutenant  Saberin's  call,  and  gave  his  pleasant  messages  ; 
but  she  received  them  very  ungracionsly,  was  indignant 
that  she  was  not  sent  for,  while  poor  lone  would  gladly 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  227 

have  exchanged  places  with  her,  and  given  her  the  call 
and  taken  in  its  place  her  painless  sleep.  Some  one 
knocked.  Mrs.  Bobaline  called  "  Come  !  " 

Lieutenant  Alton  entered  and  said  a  la  Phcenixiana  "  how 
are  the  94  young,  and  100  beautiful  ladies  this  90  fine 
day?" 

lone  shouted,  "  Thank  you,  I  feel  like  60." 

"  I  am  150  !  "  he  replied.  "I  have  just  heard  from  N.  O  . 
A  gentleman  direct  from  there,  saw  our  74  friend,  and  she 
is  as  1000  beautiful  as  ever." 

"  O,  dreadful !  New  Orleans,  why  don't  you  stand  99 
true  by  100  firm  for  our  country's  flag  of  34  stars  ?  " 

Mrs.  Bobaline  entered  the  lists,  for  his  resigning  at  once. 
"  They  will  make  you  a  Brig  !  " 

"  I  would  rather  be  shot  a  Lieutenant  under  my  flag, 
than  resign  and  be  a  Napoleon  !  " 

"  Well,  they'll  beat  you  any  way,  and  take  you  prison- 
er ?"  she  replied,  sneering. 

" '  The  flag  of  our  Union  forever.'  Is  Washington 
safe  ?  "  said  lone. 

"  Not  quite  if  they  attack  us  now,  I  fear ;  but  it  soon 
will  be,"  he  replied  thoughtfully. 

"  Now  that  the  7th  have  arrived,"  said  Mrs.  Bobaline. 

War,  war,  war !  was  the  only  topic  discussed  by  small 
and  great,  and  Washington  was  one  "  tented  field,"  and 
ladies  drove  to  the  camps  to  see  parades,  and  drills,  and 
meet  their  friends. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  daily  gave  hours  of  toil,  and  inches 
of  sole,  to  the  pursuit  of  beauty  "  under  difficulties." 


228  Tactics;  or, 


"  ARTICLE  SIXTEENTH." 

"  Rules  for  maneuvering  by  the  rear  rank." 

Lieutenant  Saberin's  only  hope  is  to  meet  his  incognita 
in  the  street,  and  follow  her  home.  This  decision  leads 
him  up  the  Avenue  early  one  afternoon,  fearing  that  he 
should  not  meet  her,  yet  hoping  against  hope.  A  lady 
and  gentleman  dash  by  him  on  horseback.  'Tis  she,  and 
the  young  foreigner  !  He  follows  them  at  a  rapid  pace, 
but  he  is  soon  distanced,  and  they  have  turned  off  the 
Avenue,  and  are  out  of  sight.  Disappointment  clouds  his 
brow.  But  they  must  return  !  He  will  while  away  the 
time  by  sitting  in  Madam  Bobaline's  windows,  and  watch- 
ing for  the  only  woman  in  whom  he  now  feels  any  inter- 
est. He  accordingly  repaired  to  their  hotel,  sends  up  his 
card,  and  waits  for  the  ladies.  On  a  chair  in  the  window 
stands  a  bijou, —  a  lady's  work  basket.  Supposing  it  to 
be  lone's,  he  takes  it  up,  and  showing  a  very  gentlemanly 
curiosity,  examines  its  contents.  He  finds  a  tiny  book, 
formed  of  a  sheet  of  note  paper,  folded  till  it  was  but  two 
inches  square.  He  opened  it  and  was  surprised  at  the 
date,  written  in  a  very  familiar  hand,  but  dated  years  be- 
fore he  had  seen  lone.  He  looks  again ;  the  writing  is 
not  lone's,  nor  is  it  Mrs.  Bobaline's,  but  more  familiar 
than  either.  Then  the  date, —  why  should  that  recall 
memories  of  the  past  ?  He  reads — 

Oct.  27, 1856. 
I  wait  for  thee,  as  morning  waits 

With  dewy  eye,  the  coming  sun, 
My  soul  sits  trembling  at  her  gates, 

To  greet  her  best  beloted  one  ! 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  229 


I  wait  for  thee  as  waits  the  flower — 

I  droop  for  thee  as  droops  the  flower, 
Beneath  the  noon-tide's  fervor  deep — 

Ere  pitying  stars  at  twilight  hour, 
Put  on  their  snowy  veils  to  weep. 

He  turns  the  leaf,  and  reads 

March,  1859. 
I  waited  for  thee  —  ah,  how  long  ! 

You  came  —  but  ah,  how  changed  ! 
Your  self-conceit  was  —  ah,  how  strong  ! 

Self,  in  the  shade  at  90  ranged  ! 

Both  dates  came  up  before  him  like  apparitions.  He 
was  as  much  surprised  as  he  would  have  been  in  his  cadet 
days,  by  the  appearance  of  the  "  great  highankadank,"-on 
his  post  at  dead  of  night.  What  a  strange  magic  there  is 
about  dates  !  How  they  thrill  one,  as  they  are  seen  on  the 
letter  or  page,  the  figures  that  have  brought  to  us  some  joy 
or  sorrow,  and  how  strangely  near,  becomes  the  inscriber 
of  those  figures  !  The  rest  of  the  tiny  book  is  a  blank, 
and  lie  begins  again  to  read  its  contents.  He  has  just  fin- 
ished as  Mrs.  Bobaline  and  lone  enter.  He  quickly  put  the 
little  record  in  his  breast  pocket.  He  sat  conversing  for 
a  long  time,  often  glancing  out  of  the  window,  but  the 
fair  equestrian  did  not  make  her  appearance.  Impatient 
and  weary  he  was  about  to  excuse  himself  and  seeV  her 
through  the  streets  again,  when  a  low  tap,  tap,  tap  !  said 
some  one  was  coming,  and  Mary  Greenleaf  entered. 
When  she  saw  a  strange  gentleman,  she  hesitated  and 
said,  "  I  came  to  get  my  work-basket !  "  She  approached 
the  chair,  took  the  basket  and  changing  color  painfully,  ex- 
cused herself  and  retired.  Lieutenant  Saberin  moved 
away  to  the  window,  shocked  to  find  his  long  neglected 
blue-eyed  one,  and  the  beautiful  foreigner  he  had  been 
pursuing  so  untiringly,  were  one  and  the  same  person  ! 
This  at  once  solved  the  enigma  of  the  little  blank-book, 
its  dates,  and  familiar  hand-writing.  What  had  changed 
her  so  ?  —  Had  a  few  years  wrought  such  a  transforma- 
tion ?  With  a  profound  sigh,  he  turned  to  the  ladies, 


Tactics;  or, 

trying  to  look  wonderfully  indifferent.  "  Who  is  'the 
young  lady  ?  " 

lone  answered,  "  She  is  the  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Mr. 
Greenleaf.  They  are  stopping  here,  isn't  she  lovely  ?  " 

"  Yes  !  Is  she  engaged  to  the  young  foreigner  with 
whom  she  rides  ?  "  he  asked  as  deliberately  as  if  each  word 
was  the  last  he  could  utter. 

"  O,  he  is  wild  about  her,  but  she,  —  I  am  not  her  con- 
fidant—  I  cannot  say."  lone  showed  in  her  manner  that 
there  was  something  she  would  like  to  say,  but  did  not. 
She  was  thinking  about  Lieutenant  Mera. 

Lieutenant  Saberin  bade  her  good  day,  saying  he  would 
see  her  often  as  possible,  as  in  these  times,  they  knew  not 
what  a  day  would  bring  forth. 

She  shuddered,  for  she  had  seen  all  the  terrible  prepara- 
tions with  an  aching  heart,  fully  realizing  that  they  were 
more  than  a  gay  parade,  or  an  idle  pageant  on  West  Point. 
Had  not  Suinter  borne  testimony  to  the  stern  reality,  the 
wild  forgetfulness  of  all  that  we  hold  sacred  ?  the  lives 
of  our  precious  ones  there  —  our  hero-martyrs,  was  it  a 
dream  to  them  in  their  prison  of  flame  —  their  fiery  fur- 
nace, from  which  they  came,  pure  gold,  to  shine  forever 
in  our  crown  of  Freedom?  Noble  men !  When  forsaken 
by  men,  God  delivered,  to  show  how  He  could  save  !  May 
the  God  of  battles  be  their  shield  in  like  manner,  in  every 
hour  of  trial.  lone  sat  in  the  window,  till  the  gray  twi- 
light deepened  round  her,  realizing  in  all  its  terrors  the 
dark  cloud  that  hung  over  our  beloved  land.  Every  hour 
brought  nearer  the  fearful  struggle.  Hearts  must  know 
anguish,  deeper  than  death,  and  "  men  must  work,  and 
women  must  weep."  O,  why  ?  Will  the  "  by  and  by  "  tell 
us  ? 

"0,  wonderful  visions  of  long  ago  ! 

Lighting  so  the  warm  young  brain, 
You've  lost  your  aura  of  golden  glow, 

You  are  tarnished  now,  by  the  touch  of  pain. 
Can  Love  retint  what  rust  hath  lain  ? 

Can  it  kindle  again  for  the  eager  eye? 
0,  beautiful  dreams,  will  you  live  again, 

Will  you  live  again,  in  the  by-and  by. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder -Straps,  231 

•*  They  who  began  life's  race  with  me, 

The  amber-haired,  and  dewey-eyed, 
Who  made  life  sweeter  than  dream  can  be  ; 

Alas  !  how  many  of  them  have  died  ! 
The  old ,  old  story  —  beside  the  way, 

In  low  cold  houses,  mute  they  lie  ! 
When  all  shall  come  forth,  to  immortal  day, 

Shall  we  love  again  in  the  by-and-by  ? 

"  The  tangled  web  of  mortal  life, 

Will  Jesus'  pitying  hand  untie  ? 
That  error  and  evil  mingle  strife, 

Despite  His  love  —  Will  He  toll  us  why? 
Why  glorious  promises  stranded  lie  ; 

Why  hearts  are  wrecked  on  this  lower  coast, 
Why  heirs  of  a  God-born  destiny 

Reel  into  chaos,  ruyles?,  lost  1 

"  Many  who  love  in  silence  here, 
Walk  as  strangers,  far  apart, 
Never  naming  the  name  most  dear, 

The  being  born  their  twin  in  heart  ; 
In  God's  after-day  will  it  all  be  clear  — 

The  story  of  Fate  and  its  sorrowful  "  Why?  " 
The  loved  and  longed-for,  waiting  here, — 
Will  they  know  and  love  in  the  by-and-by  ?  " 

Saturday,  16th  June,  1860. 

Twilight  deepened  into  darkness,  still  lone  sat  dreaming 
on  of  the  future. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  came  in  with  a  letter  from  Colonel  Boba- 
line,  in  Western  Virginia.  The  gas  was  lighted  and  the 
letter  read.  Lieutenant  Mera  entered,  and  they  were  ea- 
gerly discussing  the  news  it  contained,  —  the  victory  under 
their  glorious  young  General.  "  Colonel  Burlyton  is  with 
us,"  it  said,  "  the  same  brave,  noble  fellow  he  was  at  West 
Point.  He  is  idolized  by  his  men."  I  knew  he  would  be  !  " 
exclaimed  Lieutenant  Mera  warmly. 

"  He  is  too  pleasant  and  lovely  for  a  warrior,  I  wish  he 
were  here  !  "  said  lone. 

Tap,  tap,  and  the  gentle  Mary  Greenleaf  opened  the 
door.  Lieutenant  Mera  shook  her  hand  kindly,  and  told 
her  about  the  letter  and  Colonel  Burlyton,  what  lone  just 
said,  and  how  he  envied  him. 


232  Tactics;  or, 

"  Dear  old  West  Point !  "  cried  lone,  and  they  began  re- 
calling reminiscences  of  that  enchanting  spot.  One  said 
"  Do  you  remember  ?  "  and  then  another,  till  a  perfect 
picture  gallery  was  established,  whose  bright  colors  and  fa- 
miliar scenes  brought  back  words  and  smiles  long  forgotten, 
whose  reflected  light  brightened  the  faces  gathered  round 
the  table. 

"  Miss  lone,  you  remember  one  morning  playing  the 
'officer's  call,'  and  all  of  us  rushing  in,  to  see  who  was 
calling  us  ?  "  asked  Lieutenant  Mera,  in  a  livelier  humor 
than  lone  had  seen  him  in  since  her  early  acquaintance 
with  him. 

"  Yes,  indeed  !  and  the  scolding  Viola  gave  me  for  being 
so  improper  !  But  do  you  remember  that  you  tried  to 
make  me  promise  to  play  it  when  I  wished  to  see  you,  and 
you  would  come  directly  ?" 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  233 

The  partings  came.  Colonel  Burlyton  fresh  from,  and 
flushed  with  victory,  came  with  his  great  heart  and  sono- 
rous voice  to  cheer  on  our  troops.  Captains  Alton  and 
Saberin  brought  him  to  see  the  ladies.  He  sang  for  them, 
"  The  soldier's  dream,"  and  "  Ah,  doth  not  a  meeting 
like  this  make  amends,"  drawing  tears  from  every  eye. 
Captain  Alton  looking  like  a  young  David,  with  his  gentle 
blue  eyes  and  beautiful  hair,  came  to  say  "  good  night, 
until  the  morrow."  It  was  all  he  would  say  ;  his  hopes 
were  high.  He  commanded  a  battery.  Captain  Mera 
came  not.  What !  gone  without  one  word  ?  Ay,  so  true 
love  should  do  ;  it  cannot  speak.  Captain  Saberin  came 
last  of  all,  determined  to  bid  them  good  bye  cheerily,  as 
Alton  had  done,  but  was  petrified  to  find  lone  and  Mary 
Greenleaf  sobbing  in  each  other's  arms  !  lone  bowed  her 
cold  brow  for  him  to  kiss.  He  shook  hands  with  Mrs. 
Bobaline  who  was  nearly  in  hysterics,  and  flinging  one 
glance  to  Mary,  who  had  retreated  to  the  sofa,  he  fled 
from  the  room.  Poor  Mary  !  "  Through  the  lashes  of 
her  darting  eyes  she  shot  her  soul  at  every  glance !  "  in- 
wardly saying,  "  I  part  with  thee,  as  wretches  that  are 
doubtful  of  hereafter,  part  with  their  lives  —  trembling  at 
Futurity."  She  left  the  room,  fearing  she  should  die,  if 
she  did  not  hasten  to  give  way  to  her  great  agony.  She 
threw  herself  on  her  bed  alone,  exclaiming, 

"  Oh  !  had  he  ever  loved,  he  would  have  thought 
The  worst  of  tortures  bliss,  to  silent  parting  ! ' ' 


(  CENTERVILLE  20th  July,  1861. 
\       Saturday  night,  10  o'clock. 

"  Centerville  !  centre  of  '  uncertainty,  fell  demon  of  our  fears 
The  human  soul  that  can  support  despair, 
Supports  not  thee.'  ' ' 

Our  glorious  land,  thy  great  hopes  center  here  to-night. 
Will   they  be  dashed  to  the   ground?     The   arteries  of 


234  Tactics;  or, 

every  great  heart  in  our  beloved  country,  center  here, 
shall  the  life  blood  of  Freedom  redden  Liberty's  soil  ? 
God  knows  !  This  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  nights  the 
imagination  can  conceive.  The  sky  is  perfectly  clear,  and 
the  air  as  serene  and  still  as  that  of  Eden.  The  bright 
moon  cast  the  woods  which  bound  the  field  into  deep  shad- 
ows, through  which  the  camp-fires  shed  a  clear  and  brilliant 
glow.  From  the  crest  of  the  hill,  the  scene  is  a  picture 
of  enchantment.  On  the  extreme  right,  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  Fire  Zouaves,  a  party  were  singing  the  'b  Star 
Spangled  Banner ;  "  and  from  the  left  rose  the  sweet  strains 
of  a  magnificent  band,  intermingling  opera  airs,  like  the 
beautiful  serenade  of  Don  Pasquale,  with  the  patriotic 
bursts  of  "  Hail  Columbia,"  and  "  Yankee  Doodle." 
From  far  beyond  the  woods  came  the  hum  of  the  hosts 
encamped  in  the  extreme  rear.  How  many  to-night  either 
in  their  heart's  deep  silence,  or  in  converse  with  friends — 
new  found,  or  mayhap  "  grappled  together  with  hooks  of 
steel,"  quoted  More's  touching  lines. 

"  Sweet  moon  !  if  like  Crotona's  sage 

By  any  spell,  my  hand  could  dare 
To  make  thy  due  its  ample  page, 

\nd  write  ray  thoughts,  my  wishes  there  ; 
How  many  a  friend  whose  carelsss  eye 

Now  wanders  o'er  that  starry  sky, 
Should  smile  upon  thine  orb  to  meet 

The  recollection  kind  and  sweet 
The  reveries  of  fond  regret, 

The  promise  never  to  forget, 
And  all  my  heart  and  soul  would  send, 

To  many  a  dear  loved  distant  friend." 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps, 


"  FORWARD." 


160  — J  Presto. 


•3=3- 


3=2: 


"  By  the  hope  within  us   springing. 

Herald  of  to-morrow's  strife  ; 
By  that  sun  whose  light  is  bringing, 

Qtaine  or  Freedom  ;  death  or  life  ; 
Oh  !  remember  life  can  be 

No  charm  for  him,  who  lives  not  free  ! 
Like  the  day-star  in  the  wave, 

Sinks  a  hero  in  his  grave  ; 
Midst  the  dew-fall  of  a  nation's  tears  !  " 

The  terrible  word,  "  Forward,"  had  gone  forth,  and  all 
the  household  gods  taken  from  their  altars  to  be  placed  in 
the  van,  to  lead  on  our  brave  soldiers,  and  to  '•  shield 
them  in  the  fight."  Sanguine  of  success,  all  panted  for 
the  sanguine  combat.  Forward  in  the  moon  light  of  the 
stillest  hour  of  night.  Forward,  thirty  six  thousand  free- 
men, through  the  hazy  valleys  and  o'er  the  hill  slopes,  past 
the  burning  fires  at  which  forty  regiments  had  prepared 
their  midnight  meal;  miles  apart  in  the  vistas,  opening 
along  a  dozen  lines  of  view.  Forward,  our  artillery,  hope 
of  the  conflict,  whose  black  mouthed  republicans  shall 
awake  the  country  to  what  will  bo  the  order  of  the  day, 
whose  detonatincr  arguments  shall  shake  the  distant  hills. 


Tactics;  or, 

"  And  thunder  in  their  ears,  their  country's  cause  ! ' 

Forward,  white  army  wagons,  with  their  hearse-like  am- 
bulances, draped  like  the  hearts  of  the  American  people 
with 

"  Black  images 

Of  stern  agony,  and  shroud  and  pall, 
And  breathless  darkness,  and  a  nation's  woe  !  " 

Forward,  not  to  meet  the  armies  of  the  aliens,  but  fath- 
ers, brothers,  class-mates,  friends !  men  who  had  sworn  by 
the  same  Holy  Name,  to  protect  their  country's  flag  !  who 
had  fought  side  by  side  contending  for  the  sacred  rights 
now  trampled  upon,  who  had  knelt  and  wiped  the  death 
damps  from  each  other's  brow,  and  borne  them  from  scenes 
of  carnage,  to  light  and  life.  Fathers  against  sons,  they 
had  blest  and  taught  to  lisp  their  evening  prayer ;  broth- 
ers who  had  slept,  clasped  in  each  other's  arms,  in  the 
same  little  crib,  under  the  same  roof-tree.  Class-mates, 
whose  hands  have  pressed  the  sacred  volume,  when 
they  swore  by  the  Almighty  God,  to  be  true  to  their  coun- 
try and  the  constitution.  Friends  that  have  stood  the 
test  in  hours  of  trial,  and  deep  woe !  Such  must  "  For- 
ward ! "  in  the  moon's  tender  light,  with  the  soft  rustle  of 
our  idolized  stars  and  stripes  above  them,  for  which  who 
would  not  die  ?  through  the  grey  of  dawn,  and  white 
morning  twilight  —  on  under  the  splendor  of  such  a  sun 
as  rose  on  Austerlitz!  It  was  Sunday  morning.  Even 
in  the  wilderness  the  sacred  day  seems  purer  and  more 
hushed  than  any  other.  It  was  ours  first  to  break  the  sa- 
cred spell  of  the  god  of  silence  as  he  sits  ever  thus  —  his 
only  song  to  earth  and  heaven,  "  Hush,  all  hush  !  "  To 
becloud  the  clearness  of  that  serene  atmosphere  with  the 
rude  clangor  of  the  avant  messenger,  that  heralded  our 
challenge  to  a  disloyal  foe.  The  fortunes  of  the  day  rose 
and  fell  Jike  the  waves  of  a  mighty  ocean ;  we  heard 
continuous  tidings  of  heroism  and  victory  ;  we  could  catch 
glimpses  of  the  advances  and  retreats,  could  hear  occasion- 
ally the  guns  of  a  battery  before  undiscovered,  could  guess 


Cupid  in  Shoulder- Straps,  237 

how  terribly  all  this  accumulation  of  death  upon  death 
must  tell  upon  those  undaunted  men,  but  could  also  see  — 
and  our  cheers  continually  followed  the  knowledge  —  that 
our  forces  were  gradually  driving  the  right  of  the  enemy 
around  the  second  quarter  of  a  circle,  until  by  ten  o'clock 
the  main  battle  was  raging  directly  opposite  where  it  had 
commenced  six  hours  before  !  We  heard  of  the  intrepidity 
of  Burnside  and  Sprague ;  how  the  devoted  and  daring 
young  governor  led  the  regiment  he  had  so  munificently 
equipped,  again  and  again  to  victorious  charges,  and  at  last 
spiked  with  his  own  hands  the  guns  he  could  not  carry 
away  !  The  victory  seemed  ours.  It  was  an  hour  sublime 
in  unselfishness,  and  apparently  glorious  in  its  results.  The 
question  was  quickly  to  be  decided  for  us.  "  The  issue  of 
this  hard  fought  battle,  in  which  certainly  our  troops  lost 
no  credit,  in  their  conflict  on  the  field  with  an  enemy  ably 
commanded,  superior  in  numbers,  who  had  but  a  short  dis- 
tance to  march,  and  who  acted  on  his  own  ground  on  the 
defensive,  and  always  under  cover,  whilst  our  men  were 
of  necessity  on  the  open  field,  should  not  prevent  full  cred- 
it being  given  to  those  officers  and  corps  whose  services 
merited  success  if  they  did  not  attain  it."  Such  is  the  his- 
tory of  a  day.  Why  hid  not  the  sun  his  face  ftom.  such 
a  scene  ? 


"  Give  me  the  death  of  those 

Who  for  their  country  die  ; 
And  oh  !  be  mine  like  their  repose 

\\  hen  cold  and  low  they  lie  ! 
Their  loveliest  mother  earth 

Enshrines  the  fallen  brave  ; 
In  her  sweet  lap,  who  gave  them  birth, 

They  find  their  tranquil  grave." 

"  The  prayers  of  fair  women,  like  legions  of  angels, 
Watch  over  our  soldiers  by  day  and  by  night  ; 
And  the  King  of  all  glory,  the  chief  of  all  armies, 
Shall  love  them  and  lead  them,  who  dare  to  be  right 
As  each  column  sweeps  by, 
Hear  their  hearts'  battle-cry, — 
It  was  Warren's, — '  Tis  sweet  for  our  ct-untry  to  die  ! '  " 


2-33  Tactics;  or, 

The  parlor,  the  hall,  and  the  respective  rooms  were  tra- 
versed with  unsteady  steps,  by  Mrs.  Bobaline,  lone,  and 
Mary,  unable  to  sit  quietly  at  their  patriotic  employment 
of  making  every  needful  article  for  the  army,  from  a  have- 
lock  to  an  embroidered  flag.  They  followed  each  other, 
or  sought  their  chambers  alone,  weeping  and  praying  by 
turns. 

Madam  Maryglot  gave  way  to  her  own  great  heart,  by 
denouncing  the  demagogues  and  politicians  in  good  healthy 
English,  forgetting  her  accomplishments  in  her  honest  ire, 
at  the  sorrow  and  terror  of  those  she  saw  weeping  around 
her.  Occasionally  she  would  break  forth  into  sneers,  that 
there  was  no  head  to  our  affairs  ;  that  of  we  only  had  a 
king,  he  could  send  at  once  and  take  the  miscreants,  and 
hang  them  as  high  as  Haman.  "  Shame  on  the  American 
people,  for  their  sleepiness,  allowing  traitors  to  disarm  the 
government,  and  then  bully  them  or  destroy  their  country  ! 
If  they  had  the  spirit  to  hang  every  traitor  they  get  hold 
of,  the  trouble  would  soon  be  put  an  end  to.  They  should 
have  hurled  Davis  from  his  seat  in  the  senate,  and  Floyd 
from  the  cabinet,  as  the  old  disloyal  and  ambitious  no- 
bles of  England  were ;  taken  and  decapitated  them  at 
once,  and  there  would  have  been  an  end  to  a  thing !  "  This 
was  strong  meat  for  the  broken  and  crushed  spirits  she 
was  haranguing,  and  she  received  no  reply.  Then  she 
would  tell  them  stories  of  heroic  women,  who  freed  their 
country  by  their  super-feminine  bravery.  Joan  of  Arc,  and 
Charlotte  Corday  were  introduced,  but  her  "  words  were 
as  idle  tales  "  to  those  whose  bowed  heads  were  humbled, 
whose  hearts  were  bleeding.  Again  she  would  endeavor 
to  read  to  them,  but  finally  gave  it  up  and  entered  into  the 
grief  and  anxiety  of  those  most  vehement  in  their  great 
a^onv  for  their  absent  ones.  She  ran  through  the  house  for 
news,  till  one  would  have  thought  her  own  sons  were  on 
that  awful  field.  Whenever  she  heard  a  regiment  or  bat- 
tery named  she  cried,  "  Is  there  any  one  I  know  in  that 
battery  or  regiment  ?  "  Her  mind  was  in  the  wildest  con- 
fusion as  to  the  whereabouts  of  her  favorites.  She  had 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  239 

them  numbered  on  her  fingers,  and  before  reading  the 
papers  would  count  them  over  as  if  she  were  saying  avas 
for  their  souls  : — "  Colonel  Bobaline  in  Western  Virginia  ; 
Colonel  Burlyton,  Fairfax  court-house  ;  Captain  Alton  in 
command  of  a  battery,  Captain  Saberin,  Assistant  Adjutant 
General  ;  Captain  Mera,  Aid  de  camp  ;  Lieutenant  Smith, 
Griffin's  battery  ;  Lieutenant  Corridor,  Sherman's  battery." 
Long  before  she  could  finish  her  d roily  numbered  list,  every 
one  present  was  smiling  through  their  tears. 

Mrs.  Bobaline  was  sndly  tried  by  receiving  little  missives 
from  the  rebel  colonel,  begging  for  one  word,  that  she  had 
no  interest  at  stake  at  Washington,  she  was  a  Southerner ; 
her  husband  was  a  rebel  against  his  own  land.  She  an- 
swered one  or  two  of  them,  but  gave  no  very  important 
information,  till  she  became  alarmed  lest  she  should  be  ar- 
rested, when  she  wrote  to  him  not  to  dare  to  write  to  her 
again. 

Madam  Maryglot  suspected  her  of  disloyalty,  and  im- 
proved all  occasions  to  rant  at  wolves  in  sheep-skins,  and 
pretended  friends,  till  they  came  to  be  open  enemies.  In 
the  darkest  moment  of  suspense,  she  would  taunt  her  with 
being  sorry  that  we  were  triumphant,  or  glad  that  we  were 
beaten,  when  really  the  poor  lady  was  nearer  dead  than 
alive,  fearing  to  hear  that  some  one  she  loved  was  killed. 
Madam  M.  was  better  than  any  news-boy  of  the  city  ;  she 
would  make  her  appearance  and  astonish  a  group  of  listen- 
ers with,  "  Our  army  is  outflanked.  General  Lee  is 
threatening  Washington  !  McDowell  is  encircled  with  bay- 
onets, had  nothing  else  to  do  but  surrender  at  discretion." 
She  would  stand  and  watch  the  effect  of  this  piece  of  intel- 
ligence upon  her  listeners,  as  one  administering  laughing-gas 
to  an  audience  would  do,  in  a  highly  scientific  manner. 
When  they  were  a  little  come  to  themselves,  she  would 
leave  them  for  new  supplies.  "  We  took  Bull's  Run  bat 
teries  in  the  morning,  but  they  were  retaken  in  the  evening. 
Johnson,  Beauregard,  or  Mr.  General  Fine-to-see,  and  Lee, 
are  concentrated  at  Manassas  with  80,000  men,  and  as  God 
is  on  the  side  of  the  big  batteries,  we  are  most  likely  to  be 


240  Tactics;   or, 

whipped  in  the  contest."  It  is  twelve  o'clock  at  night, 
and  the  doors  of  private  houses  are  open,  groups  of  sleep- 
less ones  ai*e  on  the  steps  and  on  the  side  walks,  hearing 
and  telling  the  latest  news  in  undertones.  Afar  the  faint 
rolling  of  the  drum  of  the  different  regiments  hastening  tow- 
ards General  McDowell's  head  quarters  is  heard,  the  city  is 
awake  but  silent,  as  if  the  last  trump  had  brought  the  inhabi- 
tants of  a  "  city  of  silence,"  from  their  dark  beds  and  houses. 
Toward  morning  the  rumbling  on  the  pavements  of  wagons 
going  to  the  camps,  the  trampling  of  the  courier's  horse 
galloping  in  the  avenue,  and  the  conversation  in  the  streets 
are  all  that  is  heard.  At  one  o'clock  a  regiment  passes 
Willard's.  Three  cheers  are  exchanged  between  the  citizens 
and  the  soldiers,  and  they  take  their  run  down  the  avenue. 
Colonel  Burnside  came  into  town  on  Monday  evening,  and 
after  an  interview  of  a  quarter  of  an  hour  with  General 
Mansfield,  returned  to  join  his  brigade.  His  hat  and 
coat  were  riddled  with  balls,  and  his  face  grimed  with  dust. 
He  did  not  say  a  word  to  the  persons  who  obstructed  his 
passage  in  the  lobby  of  Willard's.  Colonel  Burnside,  you 
are  not  alone  in  your  speechless  agony,  America,  the  world 
is  dumb  with  grief! 

THE  BATTLE  FIELD. 

"  Hero  you  might  see 

Barons  and  peasants  on  the  embattled  field, 
Slain  or  half  dead,  in  one  huge  ghastly  heap, 
Promiscuously  amassed.    With  dismal  groans 
And  ejaculation  in  the  pangs  of  death, 
Some  call  for  aid  neglected  ;  some  o'erturned 
In  the  fierce  shock,  lie  gasping,  and  expire, 
Trampled  by  fiery  coursers  :     Horror  thus 
And  wild  uproar,  and  desolation  reigned 
Unrespited." 

A  voung  rebel  officer  moves  cautiously  among  the 
wounded  and  dying  and  dead,  on  the  scene  of  the  late 
bloody  encounter.  His  large  eyes  are  dilated,  his  lips  com- 
pressed ;  his  breath  comes  quick  and  hard  like  that  of  a 


Cupid  iu  Shoulder-Straps,  241 

dying  man,  as  lie  motions  to  his  men  rather  than  give 
them  orders,  to  execute  his  wishes.  He  fears  each  ghast- 
ly face  will  reveal  the  well  remembered  features  of  a  rel- 
ative, a  class-mate,  or  bosom  friend.  A  low  moan  call- 
him  to  the  side  of  an  officer,  lying  on  his  face.  He  carefully 
raises  him,  wipes  the  black  dust  away,  and  lo  !  a  cherished 
friend  !  He  lays  his  hand  on  the  heart.  It  still  beats.  He 
calls  for  water,  bathes  the  face  and  raises  him  in  his  arms. 
A  groan  very  low  and  faint  comes  from  the  parted  lips, 
tears  rain  on  the  pale  face,  and  an  outburst  of  manly 
grief  causes  the  dying  man  to  open  his  eyes.  He  sees  a 
luvv-d  class-mate.  A  sad  smile  plays  like  the  light  of  a  win- 
try sun,  for  an  instant  around  the  purple  mouth,  and  he  is 
insensible  again.  "  Alton,  Alton,  my  friend,  k  Would  to 
God  I  had  died  for  thee  ! '  "  cried  Lieutenant  Ambert.  The 
men  gathered  around  him,  and  the  great  hearts  leaped  to 
the  eyes,  and  ran  in  big  drops  over  the  rough  faces  stained 
with  powder  and  blood.  He  is  no  longer  a  foe,  they  no 
longer  thirst  for  his  blood.  He  is  raised  tenderly  in  strong 
arms,  and  borne  to  the  hospital.  Lieutenant  Ambert 
watches  him  night  and  day.  Weeks  of  suffering  and  the 
loving  care  of  two  lovely  women,  Mrs.  Lieutenant  Ambert 
and  Pauline  DeSaye,  brought  him  to  a  state  warranting  a 
careful  removal  to  New  Orleans,  to  the  home  of  Mrs. 
Ambert.  A  relapse  was  the  consequence,  and  a  fever  en- 
sued. The  physician  gave  him  up  to  die,  a  clergyman 
was  called,  and  at  Lieutenant  Alton's  request  tinited  him 
and  his  frantic  Pauline,  in  the  holy  bonds  of  marriage, 
in  the  presence  of  Madam  De  Saye,  who  already  loved  him 
with  a  mother's  fondness  ;  indeed,  it  was  impossible  to  look 
into  his  sunny  blue  eyes,  and  ingenuous  face,  and  not  be- 
come attached  to  him, —  so  Pauline  thought.  As  the  crisis 
of  the  fever  approached,  she  hung  over  him,  unwilling  to 
be  relieved  for  a  moment,  as  if  calmly  resolved  to  die  with 
him.  The  crisis  came.  The  morning  broke  gray  and  chil- 
ly, the  mist  creeping  through  the  open  casements  like  spir- 
its from  a  "  city  of  silence,"  throwing  a  death  dew  on  the 
faces  of  Pauline  and  him  she  would  have  died  to  save 
11 


Tactics;  or, 

The  physician  returning  after  but  two  hours'  absence,  was 
shocked  to  find  his  patient  gone,  as  he  supposed,  and  the 
young  wife  fallen,  apparently  as  lifeless,  forward  on  his 
bosom.  Pauline  had  listened  to  the  last  sigh  of  her  lover, 
and  throwing  herself  on  his  pillow,  swooned. 

"  Alas,  the  lore  of  woman  !  it  is  known 

To  be  a  lovely  and  a  fearful  thing  ; 
For  all  of  theirs  upon  that  die  is  thrown, 

And  if  'tis  lost,  life  has  no  more  to  bring 
To  them,  but  mockeries  of  the  past  alone  !  " 

Pauline  had  seen  her  mother  looking  exhausted  and 
worn-out,  and  persuaded  her  to  retire  for  a  little  rest.  Half 
an  hour  after,  Lieutenant  Alton  rose  in  the  bed,  a  faint 
sigh  only  escaping  him,  the  terrified  Pauline  threAv  her- 
self on  the  pillow  beside  him,  and  swooned.  The  whole 
house  was  like  a  church  yard,  so  noiseless  and  still.  The 
physician  rang  the  bell,  took  up  Pauline  and  bore  her  into 
the  open  air.  The  servants  came,  but  at  the  sight  of  their 
loved  young  mistress,  fled  through  the  house  crying 
"  Miss'es  Lena  dead !  "  The  household  gathered  round  her, 
making  every  effort  to  restore  her  to  consciousness.  At  last 
the  light  of  life  came  to  the  staring  eyeballs,  but  seeing  the 
anxious  faces  hanging  over  her,  she  appeared  to  compre- 
hend it  all,  and  swooned  again.  She  was  borne  to  her  cham- 
ber, and  a  brain  fever  supervening,  she  lay  in  blessed  un- 
consciousness of  her  sorrows  for  ten  days ;  and  when  God 
in  his  mercy  restored  her  reason,  the  first  eyes  she  looked 
into  were  those  of  an  angel !  ay  those  of  one  dearer  to 
her  than  all  the  angels  in  heaven  —  her  husband's  !  As 
time  sped  on,  our  dead  restored  to  life,  lived  but  for  each 
other.  Every  ray  of  intelligence  respecting  the  war  was 
kept  from  Lieutenant  Alton,  but  there  were  times  when 
he  seemed  to  realize  his  position  —  an  officer  of  the  Gov- 
ernment —  a  captive,  doubly  indebted  to  his  captors  for 
life  —  and  a  —  husband!  Long  hours  he  would  sit  and 
ponder,  thinking  of  that  terrible  day,  —  of  his  comrades 
in  arms,  —  of  his  noble  friend  Ambert,  of  his  gentle  and 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-straps.  243 

loving  nurses  —  and  last  though  not  least,  of  his  distracted 
country  ;  and  he  would  bow  his  sick  and  weak  head  on  his 
hand  and  sob  like  an  infant,  as  if  his  heart  was  broken  ! 
Pauline  would  get  her  guitar  and  accompanying  it  with 
her  delicious  voice,  soothe  his  melancholy,  causing  him  to 
feel  as  he  looked  upon  her,  that  he  would  almost  forfeit 
heaven  itself  to  gaze  on  the  heaven  of  her  face  ! 

In  the  list  of  the  brave  among  the  reports  culled  from 
the  national  papers,  Pauline  discovered  her  husband's 
name  among  many  of  his  class-mates  and  friends.  She  knew 
they  would  be  precious  to  him,  and  kept  them  sacredly  for 
him.  She  surprised  him  one  morning  with  her  treasures 
in  his  hand,  eagerly  devouring  their  contents  while  the 
tears  rapidly  followed  each  other  over  his  emaciated  face. 
"  In  conclusion,  it  gives  me  great  satisfaction  to  state  that 
the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  the  sever- 
al batteries  was  most  exemplary.  Exposed  throughout 
the  day  to  a  galling  fire  of  artillery  and  small  arms,  sever- 
al times  charged  by  cavalry,  and  more  than  once  aban- 
doned by  their  infantry  supports,  both  officers  and  enlist- 
ed men  manfully  stood  by  their  guns  with  a  courage  and  de- 
votion worthy  of  the  highest  commendation.  Where  all  did 
so  well  it  would  be  invidious  to  make  distinction,  I  there- 
fore simply  give  the  names  of  all  the  officers  engaged, 
viz.  Major  Hunt,  Captains  Carlisle,  Ayers,  Griffin,  Tid- 
ball  and  Arnold.  Lieutenants  Plat,  Ransom,  Thompson, 
Webb,  Green,  Edwards,  Dresser,  Wilson,  Throckmorton, 
Gushing,  Harris,  Butler,  Fuller,  Lyford,  Well,  Benjamin, 
Babbit,  Haines,  Ames,  Hasbrouck,  Kensell,  Harrison, 
Reed,  Barlow,  Noyes,  Kirby,  and  Elderkin."  She  ten- 
derly took  the  paper,  and  led  him  to  the  —  cigar  holder. 


244 


Tactics;  or, 


"  AFTER  THE  BATTLE." 

"  Night  closed  around  the  conqueror's  wny, 

And  lightnings  showed  the  distant  hill, 
Where  those  who  lost,  that  dreadful  day  — 

Stood  few  and  faint.  —  but  fearless  still, 
The  soldier's  hope,  the  patriot's  zeal 

Forever  dimmed,  forever  crossed, 
0,  who  shall  say  what  heroes  feel , 

When  all  but  life,  and  honor  's  lost?  " 

The  last  sad  hour  of  Freedom's  dream, 

And  valor's  task,  moved  slowly  by; 
While  mute  they  watched  till  morning's  beam, 

Should  rLe  and  give  them  light  to  die  ! 
There  's  yet  a  world  where  souls  are  free, 

Where  tyrants  taint  not  nature's  bliss  ;  — 
If  death  that  world's  bright  portal  be, 

0,  who  would  live  a  slave  in  this  ?  ' ' 

lone  stood  with  the  crowd,  in  the  parlor,  to  hear  the 
latest  news  from  the  dead  and  dying  !  At  length,  among 
a  number  of  officers  that  entered  the  hall,  she  thought  she 
saw  Lieutenant  Mera.  How  could  she  be  sure  it  was  he  ? 
How  see  him  ?  She  walked  the  hall  rapidly,  now  leaning 
on  the  balustrade,  now  going  to  the  window,  fearing  she 
should  see  him  go  away.  As  she  turned  she  saw  the  piano 
open.  Like  a  flash  she  thought  of  his  promise  to  come  if 
she  played  the  officers'  call.  She  touched  the  keys  softly, 
fearing  the  people  would  think  her  wild.  She  listened,  but 
he  did  not  come.  She  thought  herself  foolish  to  think  he 
would  remember  such  a  thing  at  such  a  time,  but  she 
would  try  once  more,  and  from  very  weakness  she  sat 
down  on  the  piano  stool,  leaned  her  head  on  the  piano, 
and  struck  the  notes,  one  after  another,  as  firmly  and  as 
distinctly  as  she  could. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  -Straps,  245 

"  What  if  he  is  not  there,  but  is  lying  on  the  "battle 
field  !  "  A  hand  rests  on  her  head.  She  starts  and  sees 
Lieutenant  Mera  at  her  side.  She  lays  her  hand  in  his  and 
thanks  God  that  he  is  safe  !  she  tries  to  speak,  but  cannot. 

"  I  am  safe  ;  but  poor  Saberin  is  in  the  hospital,  badly 
wounded !  " 

"  She  looks  in  his  eyes  with  a  wild  stare,  and  drops  her 
head  again  on  the  piano.  He  bends  over  her  and  whispers 
that  she  shall  go  to  see  him  ;  he  will  take  her  now.  She 
rises  mechanically  and  goes  fro  her  room.  Deeply  veiled  she 
returns  to  him.  They  thread  the  thronged  streets  filled 
with  the  terrified  residents,  and  the  half-crazed,  blood 
stained  and  terrible  soldiers.  They  reach  the  hospital, 
and  stand  beside  the  pallet  on  which  he  lies.  His  eye  has 
no  intelligence,  but  wanders  as  if  in  search  of  some  one. 

o  * 

His  lips  are  drawn,  as  if  his  agonies  were  more  than  mor- 
tal could  bear.  His  dark  curls  lay  in  masses  on  his  pallid 
brow.  lone  trembling  violently,  leans  over  him,  her  eyes 
set,  and  lips  apart,  ready  to  faint.  His  eye  rests  on  her 
a  moment,  and  he  raises  his  hand  toward  her,  but  it 
falls  again,  and  he  closes  his  eyes  and  murmurs  "  Mary  ! 
Mary  I  " 

lone  grasps  Lieutenant  Mera's  arm,  to  prevent  herself 
from  falling  on  the  couch.  He  supports  her,  saying  "  My 
poor  lone!  How  much  more  must  you  suffer  ?  "  The  sur- 
geon came. 

Lieutenant  Mera  asked  what  he  thought,  giving  him  to 
understand  they  were  very  near  friends  of  the  wounded 
officer. 

lie  gave  lone  a  look  of  pity,  and  said,  "  I  imagine  he  is 
not  dangerously  wounded,  but  his  life  hangs  upon  the  discre- 
tion of  his  friends,"  which  gentle  hint  Lieutenant  Mera  took, 
and  led  her  away.  They  entered  the  carriage,  and  lone 
leaned  back  and  closed  her  eyes,  the  fountain  was  stirred 
and  tears  came  to  her  relief.  Lieutenant  Mera  raised  her 
veil  and  said,  "lone  I  did  wrong  to  take  you  to  him,  he 
was  only  raving."  The  tones  of  his  voice  came  over  her 
like  a  dream,  reminding  her  of  her  first  Saturday  night 


Tactics;  or, 

on  West  Point,  when  he  offered  her  a  chair,  and  said, 
"  Rest,  Miss  lone !  " 

,  "  Her  every  sense 

Had  been  o'erstrung  by  pangs  intense  ; 

And  each  frail  fibre  of  her  brain, 

(As  bow  strings  when  relaxed  by  rain, 

The  erring  arrows  launch  aside,) 

Sent  forth  her  thoughts  all  wild  and  wide." 

"  No,  he  was  not  raving  !  I  thank  God  you  took  me, 
that  I  might  know,  for  a  certainty,  all  I  suspected  so  long. 
Why  did  I  ever  come  where  none  are  true  ?  Lieutenant 
Mera,  I  told  you,  I  would  not  act,  but  who  was  there  to 
feel  an  interest  in  me,  except indifferent  friends  ?  " 

"  Ah,  Miss  lone,  I  an  indifferent  friend  ?  My  heart  is 
all  your  own,  and  God  knows  what  I  have  suffered  since  I 

knew  you because  I  am  poor !  "  he  muttered  bitterlv. 

He  leaned  back  in  the  carriage.  "  Juan  Alcantara  !  un- 
natural man  ! " 

"  Juan  Alcantara  !  The  truest  man  that  ever  lived  !  I 
love  that  name  !  " 

"  What  mean  you,  lone  ?  Juan  Alcantara  was  my  un- 
natural uncle,  for  whom  I  was  named." 

lone  hid  her  face  in  her  hands.  Her  unhappiness  seem- 
ed to  have  culminated.  Lieutenant  Mera  forgot  all  his 
own  wrongs  and  griefs  to  comfort  her. 

He  took  her  hand  and  for  the  second  time  essayed  to  put 
the  mysterious  ring  on  her  finger.  "  Have  faith  in  me, 
dearest  lone." 

She  raised  the  ring  to  her  lips  and  the  tears  flowed  un- 
restrainedly. 

"  lone  !  dear  lone  !  Why  do  you  weep  ?  " 

u  Juan  !  you  spoke  prophetically'  when  you  called  this 
ring  the  key  to  your  destiny.  Your  uncle's  fortune  can  be 
secured  to  you  by  it  —  but  —  "  she  added  smiling  a  love- 
smile  through  her  tears,  "  you  must  take  it  with  this  en- 
cumbrance !  "  and  she  put  her  own  little  hand  in  his. 


Cupid  in  Shoulder-Straps,  217 


"ARTICLE  FOURTEENTH." 

"  The  Column  march  in  Retreat,  to  march  it  to  the  Front." 

"  0,  Death  !  all  eloquent,  you  only  prove 

What  dust  we  doat  on,  when  'tis  man  we  love." 

"  O,  father !  I  must  go  to  the  hospital,  if  I  do  not  I 
shall  die  !  "  The  eyes  of  Mr.  Greenleaf  rested  tenderly 
on  his  daughter ;  great  tears  stood  in  his  eyes. 

"  My  darling  child,  it  will  kill  you  if  you  go !  and  I 
fear  we  cannot  see  him." 

"  I  must,  I  must  !  "  she  said,  throwing  her  arms  around 
his  neck. 

He  loosened  her  hand,  to  go  for  the  carriage.  She 
rushed  to  her  room  and  tied  a  thick  veil  over  her  bonnet, 
that  none  might  recognize  the  tear-stained  face  beneath. 
As  they  entered  the  room  the  surgeon  was  ordering  the 
nurse  to  keep  him  very  quiet  —  and  he  might  live. 

"  O,  may  I  not  speak  one  word  to  him,  doctor  ?  "  Mary 
cried  passionately.  "  May  I  not  hear  his  voice  once 
more  1  " 

"  Please  be  quiet,  madam,"  the  surgeon  answered.  "  He 
is  very  weak,  and  does  not  recognize  any  one." 

Mary  threw  back  her  veil,  and  regardless  of  everything, 
knelt  at  the  side  of  him  she  loved,  and  whispered  "  Ulm  !  " 
At  the  familiar  sound,  he  opened  his  eyes  a  moment  with  a 
glad  look  on,  his  death-like  face  —  but  the  look  faded  away 
into  one  of  anguish,  and  he  murmured  as  before,  "  Mary, 
Mary  !  "  She  shrieked  aloud  for  God  to  spare  him  to 
her,,  in  tones  that  might  have  reached  the  ear  of  Death, 
and  covered  his  face  with  kisses  that  might  have  warmed 
to  life  the  marble  statue. 


248  Tactics;  or, 

She  was  gently  removed  to  the  carriage,  the  surgeon 
telling  her  that  everything  should  be  done  to  save  him  ; 
that  he  would  not  die. 

A  few  hours  after,  Mr.  Greenleaf  came  to  Tone's  room 
to  ask  her  to  go  to  Mary,  she  was  ill  and  calling  for  her. 

She  ran  at  once.  When  she  entered  the  room,  Mary 
was  lying  with  her  face  covered  with  her  hands.  lone 
forgot  her  own  sorrow  while  contemplating  the  despair  of 
her  friend.  She  stepped  softly  to  her  side  and  whispered, 
"  Mary  —  dear  Mary  !  do  you  want  me  ?  "  The  sympa- 
thizing voice,  so  full  of  tenderness,  like  Moses'  rod,  opened 
the  sealed  fountain — and  an  agony  of  tears  came  like 
mercv-drops  to  relieve  her  burdened  heart.  lone  wept  in 
silence  —  held  and  caressed  the  small  white  hand.  When 
wearied  with  weeping,  Mary  looked  up  and  kissed  lone 
fervently,  saying,  '*  I  do  not  blame  you,  Mary  !  nor  — 
him  for  loving  you —  he  could  not  help  it." 

lone  saw  that  Mary's  eyes  were  fixed  on  Lieutenant  Sa- 
berin's  class-ring,  adorning  her  own  fair  hand.  Their  eyes 
met  —  Mary  covered  hers  with  her  hand,  lone  slipped  off 
the  ring  from  her  ringer  and  attempted  to  put  it  on  that  of 
her  friend. 

"  No,  no  !  dearest  lone,  it  was  placed  on  your  hand  by 
one  who  had  a  right  to  place  it  there." 

"  Mary,  said  lone,  solemnly,  "  He  had  no  right  to  place 
on  my  finger  any  ring  when  his  heart  was  yours.  You 
were  engaged  to  him,  were  you  not  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes  !  "  sobbed  Mary,  "  Years  ago,  but  he  has 
ceased  to  love  me  !  " 

^  Do  not  deceive  yourself  wilfully,  Mary,"  and  lone 
persuaded  her  to  lay  her  aching  temples  on  the  pillow, 
while  she  rehearsed  the  short  and  simple  story  of  her  ac- 
quaintance with  and  betrothal  to  Lieutenant  Saberin,  end- 
ing with  the  scene  at  the  hospital.  "  So  you  see  dearest 
Mary,  your  hold  on  his  heart,  was  the  one  rulinor  '  strong 
in  death. ' 

"  Oil,  say  not  that !  God  forbid  that  he  should  die  now  I 
He  will  not  restore  him  to  me,  only  to  tear  him  away 
again  !  " 


Cupid  in  Shoulder  Straps,  249 

lone  soothed  her  as  best  she  could,  and  promised  to  go 
every  day  to  the  hospital  with  her,  which  she  faithfully 
performed. 

"ABOUT   FACE." 

Before  the  threatening  storms  that  settled  darkly  over 
our  proud  Capital,  Madam  Maryglot  decamped  to  the  city 
of  brotherly  love,  Philadelphia.  lone  wrote  to  her  every 
week,  and  such  letters !  Pauline  had  sent  her  brother 
word  by  the  safest  conveyance,  assuring  him  of  the  health 
and  safety  of  "  her  prisoner,"  and  as  Mary  Greenleaf  was 
gradually  restored  to  light  and  life,  all  her  secrets  were 
duly  forwarded  to  the  grand  safety  fund  —  the  capacious 
heart  of  that  good  lady  !  From  her  we  learn  that  lone 
and  Captain  Mera,  Mary  Greenleaf  and  Captain  Saberin, 

—  captivating  as  a  penitent  as  he  had  been   killing  as   a 
beau  —  and  being  fearfully  stung  by  his  irate  conscience, 
as  all  Captain  Saberins,  I  presume  are  —  and  quite  cured 
of  his  jealousy  of  "  sublime  salad  oil,"    as  he  persisted  in 
calling  Mary's  foreign  lover,  (who  turned  out  to  be  a  Turk 
instead  of  a  Russian) — had  enticed    the  chaplain  of  the 
house  to  prevent  further  mishaps  by  bow-stringing  all  par- 
ties with  the  silken  bands  of  Hymen  —  a  temporary  ar- 
rangement however  —  as  when  peace,  the  Heavenly  dove 
with  the  olive  branch  in  her  beak,  shall  again  brood  over 
our  beloved  land,  they  are  to   order  cards  regularly  from 
Gimbi'ides,  and  inundate  the  whole  country  with   them. 
Madam  Maryglot  fell  back  exhausted  in  a  fit   of  laughter, 
mingled  with  tears,  tears  of  thanksgiving  that  the  sorrows 
of   her   young   favorites  were   turned  to   joy  —  laughter 

—  for  she  began   the  Latin  quotation,  "  Quod  Deus  bene 
vertat."     "  May  God  direct  it  to  a  good  end  "  —  translat- 
ing it  from  habit  —  when  Lieutenant  Colonel  Burlyton 
came  up  before  her  mind's  eye,  as  she  remembered   him 
bowing  before  Mrs.  Bobaline,  repeating  like  a  raving  ma- 
niac, quotations  from  every  language  he  had  ever  seen  or 
heard.     The  recollection  came  near  strangling  her.     Be- 
ll* 


2-50       Tactics;  or,  Cnpid  in  Shoulder-Straps, 

coming  a  little  composed  she  adjusted  her  spectacles,  three 
pairs  of  them,  to  take  a  survey  of  the  Future.  Shall  we, 
my  patient  reader,  borrow  her  spectacles  to  see  what  she 
sees  ?  Spectacles  1st.  The  most  refreshing  of  country 
villages,  everything  new  and  fresh  as  the  picture  of  a  vil- 
lage. The  mansion  of  the  place,  in  a  park  of  forest  trees 
facing  the  Fifth  Avenue  of  the  town.  Lieutenant  Saber- 
in  crowning  himself,  a  la  Napoleon  I.  or  in  the  parlance  of 
the  rural  districts,  jumping  over  the  broom-stick.  There 
was  happiness  worth  looking  at.  Spectacles  -d.  A  quiet 
commotion  in  the  streets  of  San  Francisco,  on  account  of 
the  arrival  of  a  military  cortege.  A  huge  San  Franciscan 
full-dress  party  preparatory  to  a  voyage  to  China  to  look  af- 
ter the  chop-sticks,  in  English  "  the  spoons."  Spectacles  3d. 
New  Orleans  at  night.  Paris  boiled  down  !  Pauline 
De  Saye  Alton  wrapped  in  a  misty  dream  of  the  past,  re- 
gards her  lord  reclining  on  the  eider-down  couch,  in  that 
dolce  far  niente  so  peculiarly  his  own,  and  so  very  becom- 
ing to  him.  He  is  enveloping  his  fine  head  in  a  saturnian 
halo,  whiffed  lazily  through  his  glittering  teeth,  and  the 
brown  curls  of  his  idolized  mustache. 

None  of  my  heroes  have  "  lumbered  the  army  down 
with  poor  wives  !  " 


DIXI. 


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lies   Miserable*. 

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lation. Library  Edition.  Five  vols.  izmo.  cloth,  each,  $1.00. 
The  same,  five  vols.  8vo.  cloth,  $1.00.     Paper  covers,  50  cts. 
The  same,  (cheap  ed.)  i  vol.  8vo.  cloth,  $1.50.  paper,  $1.00. 

L<es  CTiserables — Illustrations. 
26  photographic  illustrations,  by  Brion.    Elegant  quarto,  $3.00. 

Among  the  Pines, 
or,  Down  South  in  Secession  Time.  Cloth,  81.00,  paper,  75  cts. 

my  Southern  Friends. 
By  author  of  "Among  the  Pines."  Cloth,  $1.00.  paper,  75  cts. 

Rutledge. 
A  powerful  American   novel^  by  an   unknown  author,  $1.50. 

The  Sutherland*. 
The  new  novel  by  the  popular  author  of  "  Rutledge,"  $1.50. 

The  Habits  of  Good  Society. 

A  hand-book  for  ladies  and  gentlemen.    Best,  wittiest,  most  en- 
tertaining work  on  taste  and  good  manners  ever  printed,  $1.50. 

The  Cloister  and  the  Hearth. 

A  magnificent  new  historical  novel,  by  Charles  Reade,  author 
of  "Peg  WofEngton,"  etc.,  cloth,  $1.50,  papercovers,  $1.25. 

JBenlah. 
A  novel  of  remarkable  power,  by  Miss  A.  J.  Evans.      $1.50. 


LIST  Of  BOOKS  PUBLISHED 


Artemus    Ward,  His  Book. 

The  racy  writings  of  this  humorous  author.  Illustrated,  $1.25. 

The  Old  Merchants  of  New  York. 

Entertaining  reminiscences  of  ancient  mercantile  New  York 
City,  by  "  Walter  Banett,  clerk."     First  Series.    $1.50  each. 

Like  and  Unlike. 
Novel  by  A.  S.  Roe,  author  of  "I've  been  thinking,"  &c.$l  50. 

Orpheus  C.  Kerr  Papers. 
Second  series  of  letters  by  this  comic  military  authority.  §1.25. 

Marian  Grey. 
New  domestic  novel,  by  the  author  of  "Lena  Rivers,"  etc.  $1.50. 

Lena  Rivers. 
A  popular  American  novel,  by  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Holmes,  $1.50. 

A  Book  about  Doctors. 
An  entertaining  volume  about  the  medical  profession.      $1.50. 

The  Adventures  of  Verdant  Green. 
Humorous  novel  of  English  College  life.    Illustrated.     $1.25^ 

The  Culprit  Fay. 
Joseph  Rodman  Drake's  faery  poem,  elegantly  printed,  50  cts. 

Doctor  Antonio. 
A  charming  love-tale  of  Italian  life,   by  G.  Ruffini,  $1.50. 

Lavinia. 
A  new  love-story,  by  the  author  of  "  Doctor  Antonio,"  $1.50. 

Dear  Experience. 
An  amusing  Parisian  novel,  by  author  "  Doctor  Antonio,"  $  i  .00. 

The  Life  of  Alexander  Von  Humboldt. 
A  new  and  popular  biography  of  this  savant,  including  his 
travels  and  labors,  with  introduction  by  Bayard  Taylor,  §1.50. 

Love  (L'Amonr.) 
A  remarkable  volume,  from  the  French  of  Michelet.     $1.25. 

Woman  (La  Feninie.) 
A  continuation  of  "  Love  (L'Amour),"  by  same  author,  61.25. 

The  Sea  (La  ITIer.) 
New  work  by  Michelet,  author  "  Love"  and  "  Woman,"  $1.25. 

The  Moral  History  of  Woman. 
Companion  to  Michelet's "  L'Amour,"  from  the  French,  $1.25. 

Mother  Goose  for  Grown  Folks. 
Humorous  and  satirical   rhymes  for  grown  people,     75  cts. 

The  Kelly's  and  the  O' Kelly's. 
Novel  by  Anthony  Trollope,  author  of"  Doctor  Thorne,"  $1.50. 


